Vice-chairman steps down as club goes from one crisis to another - EXCLUSIVE

You know when your lucks out when your side face a tough opening fixture list, pick up two wins and two draws from your first eight games and are struggling in the bottom five; your management team has to work without the tools whilst a power struggle intensifies behind the scenes, before being controversially sacked - and your vice chairman steps down due to the turmoil surrounding the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tunbridge Wells used to be a normal Kent League club under the leadership of it’s former chairman Mr Norman Sales, keeping themselves to themselves and acting in a dignified manner.

Former Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur and England star, Gary Stevens is still in the process of taking over at Culverden Stadium to enhance the club’s potential, but that hasn’t materialised yet, but the club has gone from one crisis to another under the club’s interim leader Nigel Bourne.

Jane Marsh, 44, who was voted as vice-chairman in at the club’s hostile annual general meeting in June, has stood down - having not been consulted about the controversial sacking of the club’s first team manager Martin Farnie last Tuesday, and appointing Mike Robbins, the club’s reserve team boss, in his place.

The club publicly stated that poor results during Farnie’s two-year reign at Culverden Stadium forced them to replace Farnie and his assistant Steve Gibbons, who wasn’t even told of his departure, promoting much-travelled second string boss Robbins and his number two Martin Larkin into the hot-seat.

Farnie, a person that cares passionately about the club, having first played for the Wells in 1984, wasn’t given the tools to turn around the club’s fortunes.

And a tug of war between current interim chairman Bourne - and Stevens - has caused friction within the club, and all this came to a head eight days ago.

Before the club secured only it’s second league win of the season - a 5-2 home win over fellow strugglers Faversham Town - Farnie, in a bid to settle dressing room unrest, released defender Jason Bourne - the chairman’s son - and because of that has been booted out of his beloved club.

Marsh has stepped down from her role as vice-chairman, as she was not consulted about the managerial changes last week.

“I wish to resign from my position as vice-chairman of Tunbridge Wells Football Club,” she said.

“As you know, I and the rest of the Executive Board were elected by the members temporarily to ensure the smooth take over of the club by Gary Stevens.

“Unfortunately not all of the temporary elected Executive Board have the same aim as when first elected.

“I was not consulted regarding the sacking of manager Martin Farnie, and I would not have agreed to it under the circumstances involved.

“Neither would I have agreed with the immediate permanent appointment of the reserve team manager of that of first-team manager.

“I feel that the chairman and secretary made a constitutionally incorrect decision to take matters into their own hands and use the ambiguity of the club’s constitution to make that decision without consultation with the whole Executive Board."

She added: “Under these circumstances I feel I cannot serve the members.”

Marsh, however, believes the club should be lead by Stevens.

She said: “As far as I’m concerned Gary Stevens is still the best way forward for Tunbridge Wells Football Club.

“He is still in consultation with Tunbridge Wells Borough Council regarding the lease, which is unfortunately a long drawn out and exasperating process.

“He has the business acumen, vision, finances, invaluable experience in the game, as well as his good reputation and contacts.

“My wish is for Tunbridge Wells Football Club to prosper on and off the pitch under new ownership and bring to the town a successful and professionally run football club, with improved club house facilities for the fans of football and for local residents to enjoy.”

Meanwhile, one concerned supporter, who didn’t want to be named , voiced his concern over the state of the club.

“Your reporting is absolutely spot on and Farnie is the victim of a power struggle by people at the club who wish to prevent Gary Stevens’ involvement,” he said.

“Chairman protecting his son, reserve team manager appointed who has no first team pedigree, despite claims to the contrary.

“You will see an exodus of players now, Andy Garrett has already gone, and reserve players promoted and a decline in the club’s position.

“The club failed to realise their potential and capability and also dismiss their tough opening fixtures against VCD Athletic, Thamesmead Town and Erith & Belvedere. Losing 6-0 to Croydon is the only real disappointment.

“Just when they seem to have the team to go forward, the chairman has contradicted and changed the whole set-up.”

Meanwhile, new boss Robbins reinstated Jason Bourne for yesterday's 3-1 Kent League Cup Group A defeat at VCD Athletic.

Article published:  13:10 Sunday 4th November 2007