It was a difficult decision to leave Sittingbourne for Leatherhead, says Richard Brady

RICHARD BRADY has left Sittingbourne to take over at Ryman Premier League Leatherhead with a ringing endorsement from the chairman he's left behind, writes Mike Green.


Brickies chairman Andy Spice had nothing but praise for the work that Brady and his assistant Jamie Coyle have done at Bourne Park in their time at the club. 

Speaking after Brady's last game in charge - a 1-1 draw with Walton Casuals last night - Mr Spice had nothing but best wishes for the departing manager and his assistant Coyle. 

He said: "Richard’s been talking about it over the last week or so, and he phoned me last Sunday to tell me that the offer he's received is too good to pass up. And it really is a good one that we couldn't match - move up to a better level and who can blame him. Good luck to him and Jamie - they're both good lads and good luck to them! No hard feelings whatsoever - everyone has to move on in football and if by moving up the Leagues to better themselves then good luck to them!"

Looking ahead to his new job at Leatherhead, Brady admitted, "It’s an opportunity to manage at Ryman Prem level and we're going to go over there and give it a shot and organise them as best as we can. 

“It’s obviously disappointing to leave Sittingbourne as it is and it was a difficult decision, we're now going to have to organise the team over there.  Leatherhead have the obvious Cup history and we actually start with a Cup tie on Saturday..."
 
On what he was leaving behind, Brady was optimistic.  "I understand that Sittingbourne have got a manager and an assistant coming in who will totally drive them forward, and if there's anything i can do to help I will do.  And who knows if I'm ever off on an occasion, and I come back to Bourne Park, I'm sure that there will be a pint waiting for me in the board room," a sentiment that was echoed by Mr Spice. 

"We are a friendly family club here but what Richard has done here on a very limited budget is fantastic - he's got players in and got them playing really good football and hopefully the players will stay.  No one has said that they will move and we're hoping that they will all stay at the club but we'll have to see what happens over the next two or three weeks. "
 
Looking ahead the chairman then confirmed the new man in the hot seat.  "We've asked Joe Dowley to take over as caretaker - we'll see how he gets on and take it from there.  It’s probably too early to say whether Joe will get the job full time but it’s something he wants to do, but obviously we don't want to put him under too much pressure as he's got a hard act to follow as Richard has done very well for us and hopefully Joe will do the same - he's a nice lad and hopefully he will do well. 

“He will training on Thursday and when we next play at Whitstable next Tuesday he will be in charge and he will pick the team going forward."

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk