A series of kicks in the teeth have made the job so much more difficult, says Ricky Bennett

RICKY BENNETT says a series of kicks in the teeth and knock backs since pre-season are behind his shock exit from VCD Athletic.

Boss Bennett, who took over in 2010 following Paul Foley’s departure to Ryman League side Chatham Town, guided the Crayford based club to a couple of top-three finishes in the Kent Hurlimann Football League in his first two seasons in charge at Oakwood.  Bennett also won the Kent League Cup for the second time in the club's history, following their win over Corinthian last season.
 
VCD Athletic are presently sitting in fourth-place in the table, with 21 points from 11 games, eight points behind leaders Erith & Belvedere, who ended their FA Carlsberg Vase run at the first attempt when Micky Collins side beat them 3-2 in a replay last Tuesday after a goal-less draw at Oakwood.

Bennett, his assistant manager Andy Silk and stalwart Peter Burke have all resigned, leaving the club searching for an entire new management team ahead of Saturday’s home game against Corinthian in the Macron Kent League Cup First Round First Leg.

In a statement, Bennett said: “Firstly I’d like to state it’s not been a spur of the moment decision for me, Silky and Burkey to resign as the first team management of VCD Athletic FC.

“It’s been nagging away at me for some weeks now and my personal circumstances have made it even harder to carry on.

“We were full of optimism during the close season break of having a successful season and really wanted to push on to try and win the League and to get what the club really wants, which is promotion back to the Ryman League.

“However, it has been a series of kicks in the teeth and knock backs since pre-season that have made the job so much more difficult and less enjoyable as time has gone on.

“On a personal side I’ve had a lot of non-football related matters to try and deal with and although only being a Kent League manager it was taking up far too much of my time than it should and when it starts to become a chore instead of something I’ve always looked forward to and enjoyed doing, be it at training sessions and match days or watching games etc, then I think it’s time to take a break and put things into perspective a bit more.

“I’ve been a long time associated with the club both as a player (2001) and as a manager, starting with the under 15s Kent Youth side back in 2006 and working through the ranks to reserve and to first team manager and I’ve met some good people and had some good times, but I’ve just lost a bit of desire to keep going and if I can’t give it 100% then that’s not what I’m about.

“I’d like to think that we have been a successful management team over the last two and a bit seasons considering the club was on the floor without a team and we had to start from scratch when Foes left, and have produced a good side that likes to play football the right way and that isn’t far away from being very good and more successful.

“We have tried to improve again this season by adding some more experienced, proper players with a better mentality but have been knocked back for various (or no apparent) reasons on too many occasions to bring players in that I feel would have completed the group.

“I can’t fault the current players at all and I love them to bits! They’re all good eggs but maybe that’s why we haven’t accomplished our three-year plan earlier because we are too nice!

“That said it is still possible for a new management team to come in and provide the team and the club with a spark to kick on and maybe fulfil that three-year plan in getting promotion this season.

“I hope the players get wrapped round each other and look to give it everything to try and win the League no matter who takes over but I know that with change things don’t stay the same and if players move on I hope it’s for the right reasons.

“I wish everyone at the club every success and thank them for their help and support over the years but most of all I want to thank Silky and Burkey who have been absolutely brilliant and all that we have achieved together is down to them. They are top blokes, great mates and I love them.”

The club now begin the search for a new manager and applicants should contact chairman Gary Rump at the club.

A club statement said: “It is with regret we have to announce the departure of our first team manager Ricky Bennett who has resigned from his position due to increased family and work commitments, which leaves him with inadequate time to fully focus on his responsibilities and following a meeting with chairman Gary Rump it was mutually agreed that a clean break was the best course of action.

“His assistants Andy Silk and Peter Burke have also decided to leave the club and we would like to go on record and express our sincere thanks to all three who, in the last two seasons got the club to third in the league table and also won the Kent League Premier Division Cup and the Kent League Challenge Shield.

“We would like to wish them all the best in their future careers.”

The statement added: “As a consequence, the club are now seeking to appoint a first team manager as soon as possible.”

Any interested parties should send their applications to the club chairman, Gary Rump, c/o VCD Sports Club, Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN.

 
Visit VCD Athletic’s website: www.vcdathletic.co.uk

VCD Athletic  v  Corinthian
Saturday 27^th October 2012
Macron Kent League Cup First Round First Leg
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Oakwood, Old Road, Crayford, Kent DA1 4DN