Croydon chairman's u-turn stuns Tompkins

The 41-year-old told www.kentishfootball.co.uk this evening that he was “stunned” over the decision, especially as he took the managerial reigns from Gill in September, who was suffering from ill-health.

Tompkins had guided Erith Town to their best ever season last term, winning the Kent League Cup and finishing in fifth place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League, but stunned the Dockers when he quit the club three days before the start of this season.

However, Tompkins was quickly appointed as Croydon’s new manager on Tuesday, 2^nd September, with Mr Gill insisting he got the right man for the job.

“Tompkins is the ideal candidate for this responsible position,” Mr Gill said in his statement at the time.

Mr Gill also added: “I think I’ve got the right man for the job. Mark knows this league and had a good start to his managerial career at Erith Town.

“It’s common knowledge that my health hasn’t been too good for a while and I haven’t got the energy to do the job in the way I would want to.”

“I am giving Mark free reign to stamp his personality on the team. I am sure he has his own ideas and will bring in some fresh faces as and when he thinks fit.”

However, less than two month’s on, that seems to have changed, according to Tompkins.

“I tell you what happened mate,” he said. “I received a call from Dickson Gill this morning, stating that he can’t be the chairman or a spectator anymore and that he wanted to be involved in the playing side and he wanted to be a voice in the changing room.

“When he said that to me I replied to him that “I’m the manager, you’re the chairman,” and that’s how I wanted it done.”

Amid plenty of recent speculation, Tompkins also confirmed that the Arena outfit have cut their budget in half, culminating with the loss of Tony Russell and Lewis Wood, who both signed for Ryman League Division One North outfit Thamesmead Town.

“Our wage bill was cut by 50% two weeks ago,” Tompkins revealed. “I’ve done well and stayed there and was loyal to him (Gill).

“I’ve kept 95% of the players so it’s not a money issue. He wants to be in the changing room and be the manager.”

Tompkins parts company with the Trams with the club currently in ninth place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table, with a record of four wins and a draw from nine league outings - thirteen points behind unbeaten leaders Hythe Town.

The much-travelled striker was in charge of six league games, picking up seven points in the process.

Tompkins, however, admitted he was stunned that his chairman wanted to regain control of the first team, despite recent ill-health.

“He said to me at the time when I took the job that he could no longer (manage) because of his health,” explained Tompkins.

“So I took the reigns of it and he gave me full control and now he’s saying he feels a lot better and he wants to go back to the dressing room.

“He wants to be involved as Croydon was his life, that’s what he told me.”

Speaking about his feelings over today’s news, Tompkins said: “I’m a bit stunned really mate, because I’ve enjoyed myself as a manager.

“We’ve got a good bunch of players over there. A few of the players have rung me and said “have I resigned? - I’ve not resigned, he’s sacked me.

“I don’t know, I don’t really know what to say really. I’m a bit stunned by it. We’re in the last 128 in the FA Vase, in every county cup, ninth in the league and climbing.

“They had their money cut by half, it was down to me to sort them out. The majority stayed, 95% stayed. They only lost two players but I was a lot of hard work by me to persuade the players (to stay).”

Tompkins, meanwhile, wants to get back into the game as quickly as possible, adding: “I see myself as a good manager, I know a lot of players and if another option comes for me, I’ll take it.”

Visit Croydon’s website: www.croydon-fc.co.uk

Croydon v Sevenoaks Town
Bulmers Cider Kent League Cup Second Round First Leg
Saturday 25^th October 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Croydon Sports Arena, Albert Road, South Norwood, London SE25 4QL