Ashford United part company with boss Paul Chambers two games into the season after humilating FA Cup exit

ASHFORD UNITED manager Paul Chambers has been relieved of his duties after only two games into the new season.

The club were unable to play their opening Southern Counties East Football League game of the season against Beckenham due to a delay in laying their new 3G pitch at Homelands Stadium.

Ashford United opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over newly-promoted side Hollands & Blair last Tuesday, with former Tunbridge Wells striker Paul Booth scoring the winner from the spot.

But the club suffered a 5-1 defeat at league rivals Cray Valley (Paper Mills) in The FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round today, which proved to be Chambers’ last game in charge of the club.

The club issued the following statement on their club website www.ashfordunitedfc.com:

“Ashford United manager Paul Chambers has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect, the club can confirm, with experienced defender Danny Lye placed in caretaker charge.

“Chambers led Ashford United to a second-placed finish last season and was given a healthy budget to try and better that this term.

“However, given the recent disappointing results and performances, including today’s humiliating exit from The FA Cup, the club felt they had to make a change with promotion the priority.

“We would like to thank Paul Chambers for his efforts as manager and a further statement will be released in due course.”

Meanwhile, chairman Don Crosbie has published an update on the club’s 3G pitch.

“Ashford United Football Club would like to confirm that our new 3G pitch is virtually finished,” said Mr Crosbie.

“Despite reports to the contrary in the local press, the pitch isn’t imperfect but the project has been delayed.

“Along with virtually everyone else locally, we have been affected by Operation Stack with the delivery of goods proving more difficult than expected.

“As I’m sure most supporters will appreciate, the club will only comment on fact and not respond to speculation.

“We would like to place on record our thanks to the Southern Counties East Football League for their continued support.”

Ashford United are in eighth-place in the table, with three points from their only league game.

Visit Ashford United’s website: www.ashfordunitedfc.com