Paul Foley parts company with Chatham Town

Thursday 21st April 2011

PAUL FOLEY has today issued a statement to explain why he has resigned as Chatham Town’s manager with only three games of the season remaining, writes Stephen McCartney.

A run of 12 league games without a win has left the club in a precarious position inside the bottom two in the Ryman League Division One South table and the club could face relegation into the Kent League at the end of the season - or a reprieve into Ryman League Division One North.

Kevin Watson, the club’s first team coach, has agreed to take charge of the team for the last three games against Walton Casuals, Eastbourne Town and Bognor Regis Town, with the side eight points adrift of safety.

Foley issued his statement on the fans’ forum on the club’s official website, www.chathamtownfc.net, and it is published in full here.

“Following the game on Saturday where all of the results went against us as well as the result of our game (a 5-2 defeat at Dulwich Hamlet) which was more than a little harsh on us as we deserved something from the game, I have decided to hand in my resignation to allow sufficient time to put things in place for next season.

“Mark Newson has also resigned from his post as assistant manager.

“It is fair to say that the season has been a huge disappointment to all connected with the club and we should not be in the position we find ourselves in.

“The reasons for that are plenty and it would be pointless going into those now or seeking to criticise anyone as we are all involved in a team’s success or failure - the management, the players, the club.

“When you have success you have to credit those around you as it is a team effort that extends beyond what happens on the pitch but when you are unsuccessful it is generally the manager who bears the brunt of it and I have no problem whatsoever in taking that flak.

“The amount of effort involved this year in getting players in, getting a side ready for a Saturday or a Tuesday has been a huge increase on previous seasons and with less reward on the pitch.

“I would go as far as saying the whole season has been cursed from start to finish with things beyond anyone’s control.

“A culmination of injuries without exception – I cannot think of one player in a 20+ squad who has not been injured at some point – suspensions, budgetary cuts due to reduced revenue (again beyond the clubs control) and in the end even a de-registration of key players signed (due to a postal problem) for the run in has severely affected the playing potential of the squad.

“If anyone was in any doubt of the problems faced then they need only ask me personally and they would get a very straight answer – may not be the one they wanted but it would be truth of the matter. Notwithstanding all of that we should not be adrift in second bottom position regardless of where we think we ought to be.

“With regards to the Chatham – VCD debate which has rumbled on all season, rest assured people would be wrong to assume that all of last year’s side were not asked to stay on – with the exception of Brad Potter, Matt Solly, Michael Scott, Ryan Laker and Ryan Restell the simple fact of the matter is the others did not want to.

“In addition a number of players with no VCD connection have been drafted in (Joe Fuller, Jon Hogg, Francis Tshikaya, Bill Parkinson, Adam Molloy, Craig Wilkins, Billy Shinners), in fact 8 of the 15 players in the squad at Dulwich on Saturday had never played for me before but this ‘VCD label’ appears to have been slapped on the side this year.

“If anything it was the ‘key’ players that have played for me before who were needed but they have been unavailable continually.

“It has been a monumental challenge to get players in to play for the club – the reasons why that has proved to be so hard need to be resolved clearly for the future. I have given my views to the club on more than one occasion on where I feel it needs to concentrate on to ensure a sustainable future and that has to be through local youth development in the absence of a funder for the club. This requires investment in coaches, sides, pitch and training facilities that will all save money in the long run which is definitely the way to go.

“These are only my views and ultimately the club must decide on how they wish to press forward.

“If there was ever a snapshot of our season then it was the lead up to the critical Whitstable game recently where Rob Denness, Gareth Witter and Matt Rowe’s registrations were all lodged by email copies the week before on 31st March before the 5pm deadline, only to be de-registered on the Wednesday of the following week due to hard copies not landing at the league in time.

“There were postal issues with census forms and local by-elections undoubtedly being to blame and a number of clubs suffered the same fate – however we were advised by the Whitstable Chairman himself that their goalkeeper Danny Twyman was allowed to play when the hard copy of his registration form landed on the morning of the game on 9th April - some three days after our three players had been de-registered.

“I don’t have to explain my views on that one as it is quite clearly, grossly unfair but I have seen it all too many times unfortunately.

“Alfie Harris also pulled out of the game at 11.45am on the day of the match as his son had been taken ill. So from four forwards specifically signed to play a certain way with pace against slower defences we were left with one recognised forward and a full back playing up front. From looking likely to score a second goal to kill off the game, hitting the woodwork twice, we end up conceding two daft goals in two minutes.

“You expect these things from time to time as a manager but we had it practically every week of the season unfortunately.

“I believe that the club are arranging for temporary cover for the remaining 3 games of the campaign and I really wish the club well in those games and with any potential reprieve situation.

“I have put everything I can into this season and did not want to walk away earlier in the season, when I have to admit there were good reasons to, as I wanted to do the job that I had been asked to.

“I have been lucky enough to play from Step 1 through to Step 5, enjoyed great times as a player winning leagues and cups twice, three, four times over and have enjoyed promotion and cup successes as a manager too. After 20+ years in non-league as a player and manager I am more than ready to have a rest from it and I cannot see me returning any time in the future.....management was something I fell into with Dean Frost after hanging my boots up to keep things going at VCD and take the club forward and we were fortunate to have great success there.

“The challenge at Chatham came up and was an intriguing one and ultimately we have failed but rest assured it was not through lack of effort.

“Those that know me know I was only planning on doing this for a short space of time – my family and work commitments are sizeable these days. I have missed so many important things through my ongoing football commitment over the years and you never get those times back – when those around you don’t have that same level of commitment you begin to question why.

“I would like to thank all of those who helped me this season, you all know who you are and I wish Chatham Town FC well for the future.”

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.net

Chatham Town v Walton Casuals

Ryman League Division One South

Easter Saturday, 23rd April 2011

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Maidstone Road Sports Ground, Bournville Avenue, Chatham, Kent ME4 6ES

Next matches

Paul Foley parts company with Chatham Town