I wasn't going to change my beliefs and principles - Justin Luchford

The club lie in eleventh place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with a record of 11 wins, 15 draws (the most in the division) and 10 defeats with 48 points and were flirting with the play-off’s in January, before hitting a bad run of form, which has seen the side pick up one win in their last ten league games.

Luchford was due to take charge of tomorrow’s home league game against Fleet Town – but the club have decided not to offer Luchford a chance to say goodbye.

Coaches Ray Turner and Clive Walker take charge of team affairs until the end of the season.

This is Luchford’s statement, printed in full.

“Further to the announcement of my resignation from Faversham Town FC on Wednesday 30 March, there has been much rumour and speculation about my reasons, and I would like to put the record straight in order for me to get closure on this.

“There was a Committee Meeting on Tuesday evening of which I was involved in. I was asked some very frank questions about the team and management structure. Whilst at the time I was a little taken aback by these questions, I understand that the committee had every right to ask them. We discussed the style of play and management team and whilst we all had our opinions, I had to make it clear that I have My beliefs and principals and I wasn’t going to change them just to appease everyone else, otherwise it would have made a mockery of my management style. Although we disagreed on a few items, I felt that I had the backing of the committee to continue in my role and furthermore, we discussed next season and what needed to be done on and off the pitch.

“Before the end of the meeting, however, I was made aware that they had been informed that there was some unrest behind the scenes within my Management Structure, which was news to me. There had been a few issues previously but these I thought had since been resolved. The fact that I was being informed about these issues from the committee rather than my own management team started to ring alarm bells with me, and instantly made me concerned about whether I was being backed by them. The committee also made me aware that there was a possibility of certain individuals leaving the club at the end of the season and this was something that they were very concerned with, and at that point I 100% agreed with them on their thoughts.

“As I left the club on Tuesday night, I had every intention of continuing as Manager of Faversham Town and had already started planning in my head for the final weeks and for pre-season. All I thought I needed to do was to cover off the issues raised on Wednesday morning.

“However, to my surprise, on Wednesday morning, the issues that I thought were just small and needed talking over, were in fact a major problem. A problem to the point where if I continued in the role I would have to change the way I did things, change personnel and also change my principals and beliefs. I have always said I am my own man and that I will make my own decisions. If I fail, then I fail doing things the way I wanted them done. I am a young manager and I know nothing in the grand scheme of things, but what I do know is that I learn everyday and I surround myself with experience, enthusiasm and people that do not have a problem in challenging my ideas but respect that, as manager, I make the final decisions.

“After agreeing with the committee that certain people needed to stay at the football club, it left me with no option but to hand in my resignation otherwise the club were going to lose people that they could ill afford to. I was put into a position whereby others were not going to back me, I felt pushed into a corner and feel that I had little choice in my decision.

“I had agreed with the club to take charge of Saturday’s game against Fleet to say goodbye and to finish on a win hopefully. However, the management team and committee decided against that and I was informed Thursday morning that I was not required.

“Therefore, I leave in very sad circumstances. I hadn’t planned on leaving the club and the committee have tried to change my mind about resigning, however, I feel that it is in the best interests of the club if I depart now rather than at the end of the season, in order that they have plenty of time to prepare for next season. This decision has not been taken lightly and it has been a very difficult few days for me, but no doubt this will make me stronger as a person and a Manager in the future.

“As I have said, I have had a fantastic time at the club, and it has my full backing going forward. I want the club to go from strength to strength and the people at the club will now do everything they can to make that happen. Hopefully I have played my part following on from those that got the club to the Kent League. I have to thank the committee for the chance to manage the club and the faith they have showed in me.
 
“I wish the current Management Team, players and committee every success for now and in the future.

“For me, I have nothing planned, but I hope to get back into football as quickly as I can.”

Faversham Town’s website:  www.favershamtownfc.co.uk

Faversham Town  v  Fleet Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 2nd April 2011
Kick off 3:00pm
At Salters Lane, Faversham, Kent ME13 8ND