Dean Harrison returns to Fisher hot-seat: Anybody who doesn’t understand the enormity of the task at hand or is not willing to put in 100% effort for themselves, myself, my staff and this club, will be asked to leave

FISHER have turned to former boss Dean Harrison to keep the club in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

 

The club sacked Gary Abbott on Saturday night after 23 games in charge of the struggling club



NEW DIRECTION: Fisher have turned to Dean Harrison to maintain their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division status.
Photo: Fisher FC

Fisher are rooted to the foot of the table with a sorry playing record of one win, four draws and 13 defeats, leaving the club six points adrift of safety, taking goal-difference into account.

Fisher have lost their last seven games in all competitions and Abbott gave the club ammunition when he said following his side’s 4-3 home defeat to Sheppey United in the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup Second Round on 15 November, “I’ve even said to the chairman, if you’re not happy with results, get rid of me, get rid of me. If that’s what you feel is right for the club.”

Fisher then suffered a humiliating 5-0 home defeat to then leaders Ashford United and suffered a 5-1 defeat away to Haringey & Waltham in the London Senior Cup (Sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) last Thursday night, watched by a crowd of 16.

The final straw came in Saturday’s Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Second Round tie when SCEFL First Division side Glebe came away from St Paul’s with a 4-2 win.

Abbott guided Fisher to three wins, four draws and 16 defeats during his spell in charge of the club.

A club statement, which was posted on www.fisherfc.org, said: “Fisher are pleased to announce that Dean Harrison will be returning to the club as first team manager with immediate effect.

“The new boss is no stranger to the Fish, having played a key role in the successful bid to get the club back home.

“On Tuesday evening Dean will lead the squad in training at St Paul’s as he starts to assess the players and build the foundations of a successful side.

“Dean left in the summer due to personal reasons off the field, and is excited to get back into the dugout and inspire the Fish in another bid for safety, which he memorably achieved in the past two campaigns.”

Harrison said: “I loved my time at Fisher before and only left the club because of personal reasons. The fans are the best in this league and I hope I can get them the results they deserve. The challenge ahead will be extremely tough but not impossible and I’m more than ready to put the work in.

“The first thing we need to do is to make sure that everybody in our dressing room is in it together and willing to shed blood, sweat and tears for the badge.”

Fisher have leaked 67 goals this season and Harrison has spelt out his demands to his players for the rest of the season.

“Defensive shape and duties will be top of the list in training this week,” he said.

“Anybody who doesn’t understand the enormity of the task at hand or is not willing to put in 100% effort for themselves, myself, my staff and this club, will be asked to leave with immediate effect. At the end of the day, this is senior football not a Thursday night 5-a-side league.”

Interim co-chairman Dan Feeney added: “Obviously we never wished to be in the position of changing manager mid-season, but it is great to have someone with Dean’s coaching knowledge and passion for Fisher wanting to step in and help guide us to safety.

“Dean knows his way around a relegation dogfight and our fans know better than most what he can get out of his players when it is most needed. It is so important that everyone involved with Fisher now pulls together and throws their full support behind Dean, his coaching staff and the players to turn around this season and ensure we are watching Premier Division football at St Paul’s next season.”

Fisher travel to Sheppey United on Saturday, before travelling to Deal Town on Saturday 10 December, before Harrison takes charge at St Paul’s for the first time when AFC Croydon Athletic visit seven days later.

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.org