The club have to ask me if they want me to take things forward, says Faversham's Ray Turner

FAVERSHAM TOWN caretaker manager Ray Turner says the loss of full-back Shane Hamshare and manager Justin Luchford will be big losses for the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Hamshare played his last game for the Lilywhites during their 2-2 draw against Fleet Town at Salters Lane last Saturday, and he is moving to America to start a new life, and Luchford quit during the build-up to their last game, with the club in a comfortable position in their first ever Ryman League Division One South campaign, over his direct style of football.

“I want to put on record my thanks to Shane,” said Turner, who was speaking following the game.

“Justin brought him in and he’s been a fantastic servant to the club -he gives his heart and sole in his performances and it shows.

“It will leave a hole undoubtedly; we will miss a player like him but obviously we wish him all the very best in his new life.”

Turner took charge of team affairs following Luchford’s shock resignation and his side were denied a win as Fleet Town grabbed a last-gasp leveller, after Tom Hickman netted two goals for Faversham.

And when asked about his future in the managerial role, Turner said after the game, “I haven’t looked beyond the end of the season yet.  

“It was tough in many games - Justin wasn’t around and we all know that he’s been here quite a while now and there have been many different pressures that I’ve tried to take away from the players, but it’s been a tough week, so you’ll forgive me if I say that I haven’t looked any further than this afternoon and I think once we get training out of the way, the club will obviously have to meet and ask me if they want me to take things forward or if they want to bring someone else in.

Turner added: “It was strange without Justin here - you know he’s a character in his own right and as I say he and I have got on well and that’s the strange thing, as football does change a lot.  It’s difficult to lose someone like that from a match-day, but I’ve had to pick up the reigns and with Clive (Walker) beside me (who’s been invaluable) that’s given me some confidence to forge ahead.”

Turner takes his side to basement club Horsham YMCA on Saturday - a side that have already suffered relegation, although they stunned fellow strugglers Chatham Town last weekend, winning 1-0, and John Cumberbatch’s side also impressed seven days earlier, during their brave defeat at Sittingbourne.

Faversham are presently sitting in eleventh place in the table, with a record of 11 wins, 16 draws and 10 defeats on 49 points.

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