Kentish Football 
Being a football manager is all about results and the table doesn’t lie - former Stones boss Ford
The former Gravesend & Northfleet and Welling United boss took charge of The Stones last October, but only claimed four wins in 25 league and cup games in charge.
A disappointing 1-0 home defeat to second-from-bottom Croydon Athletic – which was billed as a must-win game – was the final straw for Ford, who resigned minutes after the final whistle.
Chief Executive, Bill Williams, said on Tuesday night, “Its with regret that Andy Ford has resigned.
“He came to me and said “That’s it – I’ve finished – I resign!”
“I asked him again very clearly if he was sure that that’s what he wanted to do, as we weren’t sacking him. He was adamant “No that’s it – I’ve done all I could do. I feel like I’ve been let down. I was expecting a response out of those players tonight but didn’t get!”
“I asked him again if that’s what he wanted to do. He said, “Yes Bill – I’m sorry I’ve let everyone down and I want to do what is the honourable thing and resign.”
“I asked him again and he nodded and so I had to reluctantly accept his resignation and so as of now the club will have to replace Andy Ford and find a new manager.”
Mr Williams added: “I thought that tonight was a must, must, must win game for us and that’s why there’s such disappointment around the place. I’ve only been involved with the club for 40 odd years and I don’t think that I’ve ever seen us relegated. It’ll be a terrible moment for me, but we shall wait and see – we have a board meeting at 10:00am tomorrow morning and we’ll have to take things from there.”
Ford, who issued a statement to the club’s website www.maidstoneunited.co.uk last night, explained his departure.
He said: “I would like to thank the players, directors and supporters for their support since I have been at the club but I felt that due to the results that it was the honourable thing to resign.
“Being a football manager is all about results and the table doesn’t lie.
“I would also like to thank the backroom staff for the hard work they put in behind the scenes.
“I hope that the club’s quest to return to the town is successful, whereupon the club will have a better chance of moving forward.”
With Ford’s assistant, Steve Butler, also gone, the club have today entrusted the managerial reins to current captain Jay Saunders, who will undertake a caretaker managerial role for the remaining nine games of the campaign.
A club statement said: "This will be Saunders’ first managerial role and it is expected that he will bring in a new face from outside of the club to assist in the dugout on match days.
"With only fourteen days remaining until player movement and registration closes for the season it is unlikely that many, if any, new players will be signed."
Saunders told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: "I’m very keen to get into management and I have a very strong knowledge of clubs and players at this level of football.
"I am approaching the challenge we face at Maidstone with a positive attitude."
The Stones welcome Billericay Town to Homelands Stadium on Saturday, sitting nine points from safety, taking goal-difference into account, and have nine games of the season remaining.
Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk
Maidstone United v Billericay Town
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 19th March 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd