Unfortunately there has been a bridge that can't be mended, says Nick Davis

Davis, 32, sent a text message at 22:34 last Sunday, just moments before Germany sealed their fourth World Cup triumph, with a 1-0 extra-time win over Argentina at the Estadio Maracana in Rio de Janerio, to confirm his resignation from the Woodstock Park based club.

Sittingbourne have decided to go down the one-manager route so Matt Wyatt will take sole charge of the side going into their Ryman League Division One South campaign, which kicks off with a trip to Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday 9 August.

“After the dust has settled slightly I thought I would give a short statement as I don’t think this would have been wise Monday morning,” said Davis.

“I am not going to go into too much detail into what happened and come on here and slag anyone off individually or the club in general as this is not my style.

“I was forced to resign with matters that had happened without my knowledge and some accusations that were untrue regarding my commitment to the club.

“I came on record and say that since I was 16 years of age with just over 500 appearances to my name I have only missed a handful of games during any season and when I did this was due to work commitments in 2012 (other than suspension or injury of course).

“As a player I have always worn my heart on my sleeve and I was no different as a manger, it’s all or nothing for me. I had also sacrificed a summer holiday this year knowing the importance of my first pre-season as manager.

“I was fortunate enough to be given a fantastic opportunity to manage this great non-league club at Ryman level and was truly honoured to do so especially at the age of 31.

“Sittingbourne have had off-the-field issues in recent years but I know what a big and ambitious club they were and could still be. The support down there is fantastic, there is a real non-league feel to the club and this is mainly down to the supporters who were brilliant.

“We ended the season one point from tenth and helped achieve the clubs longest run in the FA Cup in 16 years and earning them over £10,000 in prize money.

“Due to our young side and inexperience I was forced in to playing myself more than I would have liked and made 51 appearances in all.  

“I can honestly say I have not burnt any bridges in all the time I have been involved in football and have left each club with my head held high, with a number of lifelong friends I have met along the way.

“However, unfortunately there has been a bridge that can’t be mended with the events that have happened.

“I am devastated and shocked that something I was so passionate about has been taken away from me.  I have put everything into and thrived upon it this has been hard to take.

“I have been flattered with the amount of players and managers who have contacting me and wished me well. I will be involved somewhere down the line as this football is part of my life plus I have to get out of the house and away from the mrs couple of times a week!

“In the future I will manage again as I have the bug now and could do this for the next 35 years, that’s if I get given an opportunity and the right club come available.

“I have my assessment for my level two in a couple of weeks and I’m in talks to book my UEFA B by the end of this year.

“I still think I have a couple of good years to offer as a player and so will continue down that route for the time being in some shape or form if anyone will have me.”

Sittingbourne have played five pre-season games already and have won their last three on the bounce.

The Brickies came away from Ryman League Division One North side Thamesmead Town with a 2-1 win yesterday, courtesy of an own goal from Richard Butler and a late winner from Elie Keyembe.

Wyatt said after the game at Bayliss Avenue that he wants to mend a broken bridge with Davis.

He said: “Nick was a good friend, a great servant to the club. We didn’t stab no one in the back. It was just that the club wanted to go down the one manager route.

“They felt rightly or wrongly they wanted to do that.

“I never wanted to lose Nick as a captain, a player or a friend but hopefully one day we’ll see each other and meet up and have a beer or a drink.

“I haven’t got no problems with him.  Hopefully in the long term Nick will have no problems with me.

“Whatever he does, wherever he plays, I wish him and his family all the very best for the future.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk