Managers come to terms following a week of upheaval

www.kentishfootball.co.uk reflects on the BIG HITTING news stories of the past seven days.

Saturday 27^th October 2007 - 5pm

Ebbsfleet United, Bromley, Folkestone Invicta and Tonbridge Angels are all knocked out of the FA Cup at the final hurdle - the fourth qualifying round.

Their victors, Exeter City, Eastbourne Borough, Billericay Town and Ware all look forward to lucrative home ties in the first round on 10^th November.

Sunday 28^th October 2007 - PM

Tonbridge Angels’ chairman Mr Nick Sullivan describes their 3-1 defeat at Ware as “unacceptable” and “embarrassing”, and praises just one player, goalkeeper Matt Reed for keeping the score down to three.

Monday 29^th October 2007 - 7pm

Tony Dolby, 33, and his assistant Mike Rutherford part company “amicably” with Tonbridge Angels, following three and a half years at Longmead Stadium.

During that time Angels lose Ryman Premier League status; return at the first attempt following a thrilling 3-2 play-off final victory over Dover Athletic; reach the FA Cup fourth qualifying round twice; and reach the final of the Kent Senior Cup.

Mr Sullivan keeps tight-lipped regarding his decision, saying that he’ll be issuing statements at the end of the week.

Julian Leigh, 51, and Simon Balsdon, the club’s reserve team management duo, take charge of the side’s trip to AFC Hornchurch the following night.

Tuesday 30^th October 2007

Tonbridge Angels slip to a 2-1 defeat at the Urchins and slump into the bottom two in the Ryman Premier League table.

Jon Main, however, scores his 18^th goal from the penalty spot, but a Kris Lee brace gives the Essex side the points.

Angels skipper Scott Gooding admits the players let down Dolby.

10:15pm - 10:30pm

Whilst waiting for a tube at Upminster Bridge station, Mike Green (BBC Radio Kent) informs www.kentishfootball.co.uk that Steve Lovell has resigned as Sittingbourne manager to join Ashford Town.

Sittingbourne issue statement on their website, saying “Steve is expected to join Ashford Town.”

Lovell had informed Brickies chairman Mr Andy Spice at the final whistle of his final game in charge - a 3-1 win at local rivals Chatham Town - of his resignation.

Lovell replaces Ashford Town boss Clive Walker, whose under contract for two years, but Walker was oblivious that he was out of a job, despite beating Kentish rivals, Whitstable Town 3-1.

Wednesday 31^st October 2007 - 8:50am

www.kentishfootball.co.uk receives a text message from Steve Gibbons, the assistant manager of Kent League club Tunbridge Wells, saying that manager Martin Farnie was sacked last night.

“Martin was sacked last night. It will be interesting to see what the official line is from the club,” said Gibbons.

That evening, Gibbons said: ““I don’t know what’s going on!”

When asked what his position at the club is, Gibbons replied: “I haven’t got one as far as I’m concerned. The reserve team manager has taken over.”

Reserve team management pair of Mike Robbins and Martin Larkin take over first team affairs on a permanent role.

Farnie, who first joined the club as a player in 1984, and Gibbons, another former player, state their not returning to football after their controversial departure from Culverden Stadium.

Evening

Lovell, who leaves Sittingbourne amicably, admits Ashford’s “ambition” had enticed him to The Homelands.

He said: “I spoke to them they’re a very ambitious club and want to go places and want to back me all the way to do it.

“When you go to a club that wants to back you and reach your goal, it’s a great position to be in.”

Lovell brings in his former number two at Bourne Park, Rob Udberg, whilst Walker’s assistant, Steve Nolan follows Walker out the door.

Thursday 1^st November 2007 - 2:26pm

Dolby breaks his silence and issues a statement and says “I have some really good memories to take with me and wish the club all the success in the world.

“I am leaving with a heavy heart but know that I have given it 100% from day one and there are no regrets on my part.”

2:37pm

Jane Marsh, 44, steps down as vice-chairman of Tunbridge Wells, following the departure of Farnie - FULL STORY TO FOLLOW THIS WEEKEND

4pm

In League One, Gillingham unveil former Stevenage Borough manager Mark Stimson, 39. as their new manager, on a three and a half year deal.

Stimson, speaking to BBC Sport, said: "I'm very pleased to be here, it's a challenging position and one I'm very much looking forward to.

"It's a big opportunity for me and one I cannot wait to start."

The Gills are 18th in League One and have been without a full-time boss since Ronnie Jepson resigned in September.

Stimson was the first manager to win the FA Trophy in three consecutive seasons, albeit with two different clubs in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

"I did pretty well at Grays and then Stevenage, this is a step in the right direction for me. I'm very excited and cannot wait to get to Swansea on Friday night and get the ball rolling," Stimson added.

Gills chairman Paul Scally said: "It's taken a while coming but we've had to be patient because Mark hasn't been available until the last 48 hours for contractual reasons.

"I think he will be a great manager for Gillingham. He has impressed me hugely and will bring a whole different type of football to the club."

Meanwhile, Peter Taylor, with plenty of Kent connections, is appointed the manager of Stevenage Borough.

6:32pm

Clive Walker issues www.kentishfootball.co.uk a statement regarding his shock departure from Ashford Town earlier in the week.

The Kent football, well respected figurehead, felt the need to express his feelings regarding his departure from The Homelands and defend himself against claims made by the club.

He said: “On arriving home I have received a couple of phone calls from family and friends who work for Chatham Town and my son Karl also had an email saying that he should look at the Sittingbourne website, which he did, and where we read that Steve Lovell had resigned to become the new manager of Ashford Town.

“Next day the phone didn’t stop ringing with people saying that Radio Kent had announced it and also found it was all over the internet but I still hadn’t been informed and this was the same for the whole day.”

Walker added: “On Radio Kent I was shocked to hear that I had stepped down due to ill health and hadn’t been sacked. This is strange as I am fit and healthy after my operation ten months ago and Don (Ashford co-owner Don Crosbie) knew this before offering me a two year contract in the summer.

“All I ask now is for the football club to honour the agreement of compensation as agreed at the meeting last night and for everybody to be allowed to move on.”

Later that evening, Ashford Town’s co-owner, Mr Don Crosbie issues his statement.

And...

Newly appointed Tunbridge Wells manager Mike Robbins is relishing his promotion from reserve team boss as Farnie’s replacement, and following a meeting before training tonight, involving 30 players, reinstates Jason Bourne back into the side for Saturday’s Kent League fixture at VCD Athletic.

Despite the club stating they drew a line under Farnie’s two-year reign at Culverden Stadium because he only had a 14% success rate - that is not the real truth.

Despite Farnie keeping tight-lipped over the incident, www.kentishfootball.co.uk  has learnt that Farnie was sacked because he had dropped skipper Jason Boune, the son of the club’s chairman, after complaints from players got back to the chairman regarding team affairs.

Friday 2^nd November 2007

Mr Sullivan issues a statement, explaining why he parted company with Dolby and Rutherford earlier in the week.

“The departure of Tony Dolby and Mike Rutherford has been a major disappointment to Tonbridge Angels,” he said.

“Tony and Mike have created successful teams over the last three years, and the great win over Dover Athletic in the Ryman League Division One play-off’s was probably the highlight over this period.

“The first season back in the Ryman League Premier Division was quite successful with an acceptable 11th place finish, having spent most of the season in the play off places.

“This it was felt by the club to be a strong position from which to push onto better things.”

But despite many pre-season signings, Tonbridge Angels have struggled, and instead of pushing towards the play-off’s, currently face a relegation fight.

Mr Sullivan explained: “The first team, however, has struggled this season, with a poor league position, and we currently lying second from bottom in the league.

“We have had some success in the FA Cup competition, but this poor league position has caused concern at the club.

The club are expected to appoint Dolby’s successor next week.

LATER TODAY...

Lovell takes charge of his first training session at Ashford Town, as he prepares for his first game in charge, Tuesday night’s trip to Chipstead.

Tunbridge Wells’ first-team players, Ben Hilden (currently out with a knee injury) and Adrian Hatcher take charge of the club’s reserve team top-of-the-table clash against fellow 100% side, Dover Athletic at Culverden Stadium.

I wonder what next week will bring….?