I found myself fighting a losing battle, says former Erith & Belvedere manager John Wilfort

JOHN WILFORT says he was fighting a losing battle to keep Erith & Belvedere in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division.

 

The club are struggling in the bottom three in the table with a playing record of five wins, five draws and 17 defeats in the league and have lost their last five games and going by their current form are rated favourites to suffer relegation at the end of the season.

They are one point above Beckenham Town, who have secured back-to-back victories over Rochester United and Lordswood, and two points clear of bottom-of-the-table side Fisher.

Wilfort and his assistant manager Paul Springett both quit the Deres last night and coach Jamie Leggett takes charge of tomorrow’s home game against Corinthian.

“I’m well gutted to be honest having to make the decision to resign but I know it was the correct decision, having had a meeting with the chairman (John McFadden) on the Thursday and a long discussion with Geordie (Springett) afterwards,” said the former Charlton Athletic and Bromley midfielder, who was part of Micky Collins’ double winning management team in 2013.

“Lots have gone on behind the scenes and I found myself fighting a losing battle towards the end and felt that it was best for both parties that I left the club.

“When I started in my first season we did ok, got to a Cup Final and finished where I think we should’ve finished as in budget terms, in the bottom four.

“This season has been difficult from the start but all the teams are at the bottom for the same reason. It’s not a false position, it’s where they should be as what they’re laying out.

“It’s so hard to get players’ in as you are fighting with all the other clubs down the bottom for the same average player. It’s a vicious circle when a team with money blows you out of the water and takes them but this is the nature of the game, I totally understand.

“In terms of doing well, myself and Geordie have done very well as in the development of the players and moving them on to better levels, also keeping players at the football club when they should be playing higher so myself and Geordie were winning in that aspect of the game.

“I have learnt a lot in the last season and a half and will not change the way I feel about the game and the way that I help players’ move on to better things and I have done plenty of that over the last 18 months.

“I wish Erith & Belvedere all the best and thank them for my opportunity.  As far as where do I go from here, I have a few options that have been thrown at me so I will make a decision over the next week or so.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk