Now is the time to put my young family first - Seager

Saturday 25th April 2009

TODAY is a very sad day for Kent football and for Whitstable Town as manager Marc Seager has decided to take a break away from football to spend more time with his young family, writes Stephen McCartney.

Kent League clubs were sorry to wave goodbye to the friendly Belmont Road club as their first ever title at that level ensured promotion into the Ryman League was sealed.

And Seager has guided the club to 50 points in both of their Ryman League Division One South campaigns on budgets that can be best described as a shoe-string.

Media-friendly Seager, always out watching games as he prepares his side for every eventuality, will definately be missed in Kent football circles.

In the forty four months that Seager has been in charge of the Oystermen they have won the Kent League and with it promotion to the Ryman League for the first time in the club's history; three pieces of silverware; two cup finals and this season secured their place in the Ryman League for a third season.

Seager announced his shock departure from Whitstable Town - and indeed football - by letter following today's game, saying that he wants to spend more time with wife Paula and kids Mitchell, five, Bradley and Shannon.

"It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that it is my decision to stand down as manager of this fantastic football club at the end of the current season." wrote Seager.

"Normally at times like these people start off by saying "with deep regret" but with me there is no regret only sadness that our working relationship must come to an end.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my 44 months as first team manager of Whitstable Town Football Club and believe that from day one I have kept my promise to you and the rest of the board of taking this club forward,making us more professional,bringing success to the KRBS Belmont and with it, raised the profile and stature of this once sleeping giant.

"My decision to step down was made many weeks ago but I have always acted in a professional manner and wanted to do so until my final goodbye.

"It would have been easy for me to have told you of my decision when I first made it but I felt that it wasn't right in the interests of the football club.

"At the time of my decision being made we were in a deep relegation dog fight and we were experiencing dark times, I honestly believe that if I had told anyone of my decision at the time of making it then players may have left, peoples attitudes may have changed etc,so I made a promise to myself that I would do everything possible to finish on a high and that meant keeping everyone totally focused on making sure that Ryman League football was still being played at the KRBS Belmont next season, not concerning themselves with the decision I had made.

"If anyone feels that I have acted in anyway selfishly then I can only apologise but I believe leaving it until now to inform you of my decision was the correct way and in my eyes this has been proven that this was the correct way to do things as Ryman League status has been fulfilled. We've been to the final of the Kent Senior Cup and everyone has been totally focused throughout the season.

"Ever since becoming first team manager I have strived for success; not only for the club but personally too, the hunger to be the most successful and the best manager that this football club has ever had has always burned deeply inside of me.

"I wanted to be the first man to bring the Kent league title to the KRBS Belmont, I wanted to be the first man to bring Ryman League football to the town of Whitstable which I have achieved and with it am very proud of these achievements, three pieces of silverware, two cup finals and a promotion in 44 months working.

"All this whilst working within the football clubs means is something that I feel that I have every right to be proud of and will forever be in the memory bank.

"But this driving ambition comes at a price; and during my time as manager I have always put the football club, my players and my staff first; which to be successful and to be totally on top of things is something you have to do.

"But the time as come for me to put my family first and by this I mean the time has now come for me to take a break from this game I love so much to be a dad to my children.

"As I have already said, my football has always come first but at a cost and it's not a cost that I am prepared to make anymore.

"Mitchell is now five years old and I looked at him a few months ago and asked myself where those five years have gone, years that can't be replaced. The amount of times I have turned him down when he has asked his daddy to play with him because I'm either going out to football match or training,or when at home I'm on the phone talking football or on the computer planning for matches etc and now the time has come for me to place football on the back burner and spend time with my family.

"To some people it may look as though I'm being weak but as a person I am either all or nothing and don't believe that I can continue to keep up the good work I have done over my time as manager by taking it easier in anyway.

"I have been successful because I've been prepared to make sacrifices in order to gain success,and been selfish towards my family along the way. This is something for which I can only be grateful for their support and understanding, without them I wouldn't be the professional, successful manager I am today.

"It is with all this in mind that I have made the decision to take a break from management because I don't feel that I can give Whitstable Town Football Club the 110% commitment that it has always had from Marc Seager over the past 44 months.

"This break isn't a permanent one from football as my desire to be a top manager at the highest level possible still burns strong within me, but it is a break that I know I need to take not only for my family but for myself too.

"The two most important things in life are your family and your health and the time has come for Marc Seager to make these his two most important things in his life before returning to the life of a being a football manager a stronger and refreshed man.

"I would like to thank you personally for giving me the opportunity of being the first team manager at this very special football club, a club that has always made me and my family feel so welcome since joining in January 2003 as a player and for giving me the opportunity to be that 1st man to bring the Kent League title to the KRBS Belmont.

"This football club is a family within a family, I feel priviledged and honoured to have been a part of this and Whitstable Twon Football Club will forever have a special place in my heart.

"I want to thank everyone connected with the football club who have stood by me during my reign and even those who haven't because without you my reign wouldn't have been so fulfilling.

"This football club has some very special people and it would be impossible for me to name them all in this letter but my biggest thank you goes out to my staff and my players for all their time, effort, loyalty and hard work they have given me and for all the special memories that will stay with me forever.

"To my players It has been an honour for me to have managed so many good players; more importantly to have managed so many great men and if any of you feel that I have let you or anyone down in anyway then I can only apologise because I have always been honest and have always given you the best I can.

"During my reign as manager we have together, enjoyed so many great days but this football club will continue to grow in stature because no-one is bigger than the club and it feels me with so much pride that I have been able to play a small role in making history for this family club and helped taken it to a different level both on and off the field.

"Apart from my management team and my players, my role as manager was made easier for me by the hard work and support of Tony Rouse, Alan Gower, Joe Brownett and Bruce Smith, for whom without these special people there would be no Whitstable Town because Marc Seager, management staff and players can be replaced but these people can't.

"I leave Whitstable Town Football Club at this moment in the time in the knowledge of not only knowing that I was professional and focused to the very end but also the knowing that I am at present the most successful and professional manager in it's 124 year history; although it's a title that I am very proud of I honestly hope that I don't hold this title for very long because I want Whitstable Town Football Club to continue to go from strength to strength, enjoying many more successes and hope that the next manager continues from where I left off and is the the most successful one yet and so on.

"Thanks for the chance and thank you for the memories."

Whitstable Town chairman Tony Rouse broke the news to www.kentishfootball.co.uk whilst we were interviewing Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow following Dover Athletic's 2-0 win at Longmead Stadium.

Mr Rouse said the words that none of us wanted to hear - "Marc Seager has resigned as manager of Whitstable Town this evening."

Mr Rouse added, "He has made the decision that family comes first and not football. After 44 months in charge of Whitstable Town, with a CV that can be the envy of many in football, Marc Seager (has resigned).

"The letter was read out to the players after the game and we've regretfully accepted his resignation and we will respect his wishes.

"First of all, I pay respects to Marc Seager; a wonderful job he's done along with his management team and all the rest of the players.

"Everyone of the players have been absolutely fantastic during Marc's time at the football club and we wish him and all of his family all the best for the future.

"Marc quite rightly wants to spend more time with his young football.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve; he gives 110%, which he has done for the football club since day one - he has decided he wants to smell the roses."

The shocked chairman says applicants are invited to send their CVs to him at his home address.

"Applications will only be accepted in writing and should be sent with a full CV," said Mr Rouse. "Details of interview dates will be announced later.

"At this moment in time we're focusing on our players' presentation night, which Marc will be attending, which is Sunday, 3rd May.

"We expect a big turn out, quite rightly, the players were stunned that Marc has handed in his resignation."

Marc Seager's letter is courtesy of Whitstable Town's website www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk