I am very disappointed about the way Ramsgate have acted over my dismissal, says Justin Luchford

The Rams appointed club captain Dean Hill as their new player-manager this afternoon after parting company with Luchford, 37, after only eight games in charge of the club.

Luchford has issued the following statement, which has been published in full.

“Half of me had decided not to bother saying anything after the weekend’s events, but after speaking to those that have given me guidance over the years, they and I feel it necessary to at least state the facts. 

“I was appointed Ramsgate manager a couple of months ago. At the time it was between Dean Hill and myself, from what I understand.

“I was given the job as the "Board and Senior Officials" at the club felt that Dean didn't have the experience and they didn't want a player/manager at the club, as they wanted Dean to get fit and play. As I did.

“The appointment was based on a 3-5 year plan, with a view to more local talent. The academy was starting up this season and it was the ideal chance to set the ball in motion to reap the rewards from the local area.

“Therefore, for this and next season, we said we would get a few players in, that would improve and give us a chance of top 8 or top 6, to keep us moving forward.

“Then as the academy developed we would replace the players over time with local, Ramsgate produced players from the academy and via local links.(With the club understanding that the first couple of years may mean bringing experienced players in to keep the profile of the club high, to entice the youngsters, for us to benefit).

“The Board/Senior Officials and I had a good working relationship right from the start. All of the meetings were productive and intelligent.

“I reported to one of the directors in charge of the football side. We spoke daily, and probably at least 3 times and sometimes 6/7 times per day. Always constructive and never a negative meeting.

“At the transfer deadline last season I said to the board that I could sign Jon Main. They were as delighted as I was and Jon was great for the last 8 games of the season. The club and myself knew what was lacking in the side. Leaders.

“Dean (Hill) had been injured and without him we had nothing to grab the game and the team to lead us into games. (Apart from James Sherman, who was fantastic for me, but couldn't do it on his own).

“We had agreed that the defence was an issue and I also wanted a voice in the middle of the pitch.

“I had identified two players to improve us. Nick Barnes in the centre of the park and Craig Cloke in the centre of defence. They were both leaders and I knew the club would benefit.

“I have spoken to over 20 players in the summer so far (ALL of which I had spoken to the Director on the football side about) no offers or signings had been done, just as a manager I had gone out there and seeing how the land lied with players throughout the county, including local.

“I was told by a senior official that signing Barnes and Cloke were a mistake and were not welcome at the club as they were not liked. I argued that these players would improve us and be good for the team and the club.

“When I was sacked on Saturday night Barnes had signed (as well as Jon Main) and Craig was going to make a decision Tuesday (tomorrow) but we had a really good chance.

“At this time, we were also looking at signing a couple of young lads, but I'll come back to that.

“We can't always sign people that everyone agrees on, but I did and always would have done what was best for Ramsgate FC as long as I was manager.

“The budget was X. And it was average for the league but I fully understood that the club couldn't have a repeat of last year. In fact, it was my idea to set an upper limit to what we would pay a player. I kept to that and still believe it is the right thing to do.

“I offered one of our centre forwards the top end of our "limit for players". He wasn't sure but felt that we could work it out. I went to the supporters AGM and was asked about this player and I confirmed I wanted to sign him, but I didn't think it was right to be held to ransom over one player and no player was bigger than the club. Many agreed that evening.

“Hythe Town and Whitstable, from my understanding offered better terms than us, but I highlighted the distance and fuel costs to the player.

“Last Thursday my coach text me to say the player had used a social media network to post a photo of himself and a member of another club saying that was where he was going.  

“I felt that I should have at least received a phone call and therefore, contacted the player with my thoughts, as I believe common courtesy was something that was needed. The player has since signed for another club.

“In addition, both the board and senior officials believed that this wasn't necessarily a bad thing, as Ramsgate FC was about "Team" not individuals. In light of the movement of the player, I was very close to making a signing of a well-known and proven striker to replace him, however this will now not happen.

“In the statement dismissing me, it states that the club want a younger manager and more local players. I am 37 years old.  I have signed eight players for next season so far. Jon Main and Nick Barnes were two. The rest, Robinson, Sherman, Shaw, Hill, Chapman, Beech are all local Ramsgate players, in addition Laslett had also agreed to stay.

“In addition I have been told today that Main and Barnes are not required for next season as they live more than half an hour from the club.

“I would like to place on recorded the following; Both the director on the football side plus a senior official were adamant that we would try to sign a young right back (from Tenterden) and two lads (one from last year’s squad) from Maidstone (one keeper TBC). I believe all three are out of the half hour limit.

“In fact, they have also appointed my number two today who lives in Ashford which is also out of the half an hour limit. (Just to confirm, I agreed that those signings were very good for the club and what I wanted as well).

“Friday morning last week I spoke to the board member I report to and everything was good.

“Saturday morning I received a phone call from a senior official at the club saying that there had been a board meeting on Friday night (subsequently found out there was no board meeting, just phone calls between officials at the club)

“I was told that there was concern about signings outside the area (I had made 2) and that I wasn't signing local players (I had signed 6 to date). I was told that there was concern about where I lived, but this senior official had tried to
reassure them about this.

“I was also told that they were "potentially looking to replace me"! And that I should ring the director I reported to. 

“I eventually spoke to him at around 1:30pm on Saturday. I asked him questions and his response was that he wasn't sure what was going on, but there was upset about the centre forward situation, and me signing players we couldn't afford (hadn't signed hardly anyone yet and those that I did were within the "cap" we had put in place) and players from out of the area! 2 London, 6 local and more to come. I said that no matter what happened I deserved a meeting with the board and senior officials, to at least understand the issues and have a chance to talk about the situation.

“He agreed. I also agreed that I would never go beyond the clubs means. He needed clarity and so said he world speak to me at 6.30, and he rang me and said he hadn't spoken to a board member or a senior official and would ring me by 7.30. I waited by the phone all evening. 

“At 10:36pm I received an email from the Ramsgate secretary stating that my services were no longer required due to recent events. (Therefore no reasons).

“I was not contacted by the club, phone, no one would answer my calls. I was sacked by email.

“The meeting I had requested wasn't forthcoming. In my opinion it was rude and very much not the actions of people that ultimately I respected.

“Still, at the time of writing, I understand that 6 people are involved in the decision making at the club, but none of them have rang me to tell me their thoughts, concerns or reasons behind the decision. 

“Saturday afternoon I received a text from my brother who is on holiday  abroad, asking if I had been sacked. (How would he know? I was only  aware a few hours earlier that there was a problem!). He had been text  by a fellow team member at lunchtime on Saturday saying a Ramsgate “person” had spoken to him at a social event and said that Ramsgate FC were looking for a new manager. 9 hours before my email.

“I am not going to point fingers and be aggressive as there is little point.

“I am very disappointed about the way Ramsgate FC have acted over my dismissal. As I send this statement I have still not received any contact from the club regarding my dismissal and reasons behind it, which I find very disappointing and unprofessional.

“In my opinion, in any walk of life and no matter what job you do there is a way of treating people. As someone said to me today, I didn't deserve this, and for that I am even more disappointed in the last couple of day’s events.”