Search for
Search for
Search forShock as Statham quits Heybridge Swifts
Thursday, August 28, 2008, 08:00
His assistant manager Barry Lakin and director of football Steve Pitt have also left the Ryman League Premier Division outfit.
In a triple shock for Swifts supporters Statham confirmed on Wednesday that he had thought long and hard about his position but felt it was the right decision for both the club and himself.
"I have decided to resign now because I feel I cannot carry on further and that it's in the best interests of the club," explained Statham. "I have taken the club as far as I can in what everyone knows are difficult times economically.
"I thought about it over the weekend after our 2-0 defeat at Horsham, talked to my family and made the decision fairly quickly.
"It's better for the club to have time now just into the season to get someone else to take over.
"I've always been straightforward and an honest man and it would have been wrong to have carried on knowing I was not able to do the job properly.
"It was a difficult decision because it's a good club with good people but looking at the two sides out there on Saturday, I realised the void was too great for me to make up with the clubs in the division."
Statham, who took over at Swifts early in 2005 with Lakin as his assistant, suffered a major cut in his playing budget midway through last season and again saw it trimmed back further during the close season which has clearly been a factor in this week's decision to quit.
"Everyone knows that we had to lose players during last season but full credit to the players who stuck with us because we did exceptionally well to finish 12th in the division," he continued.
"But we then lost half a dozen of those players and with further limited resources now available I felt I couldn't carry on trying to get the players needed to bridge the void between us and the other sides."
Statham, who played over 30 games for Tottenham Hotspur in his playing days and later was player-coach at Chelmsford City, says he's thoroughly enjoyed his time at Swifts.
"Everyone at the football club has been a pleasure to work for and I thank them for their help and support," he said. "There's no animosity over my departure and I wish the club well in the future – I just felt it was best to go now.
"A few people put in a lot of hard work at the club and it does remarkably well to retain its level of football because it obviously doesn't have the resources available like most other clubs in the league."
Statham intends to take a break from the game but added: "I hope to get back into the game because I love football but I'll now step back, watch games and enjoy myself without any pressure on me"
Reserve team manager Wayne Bond is taking over the manager's role and his first task will be to pick a side for the match at Margate on Saturday.
Club vice-chairman Mike Gibson said yesterday: "I'm sad to see Brian go because he's worked really hard for the club and done us proud in his three years here and particularly in recent months when we've had to cut our budget. I thank him for everything and wish him well."
Pet Insurance- 5% Online Discount
UK Pet Insurance. Buy instantly online. From just £4.85 per month.
Earn money free online. Work from home and earn money today.
Looking to buy a DIY conservatory? Master Plastics offer flat packed DIY conservatories built to your design for delivery to both DIY and trade users anywhere in the UK.
STEPPING DOWN: Swifts boss Brian Statham. Reports on his final two games in charge on P82.
Be the first to comment