Albie Barker quits as Deal Town boss

Saturday 18th January 2014

DEAL TOWN begin the search for their third manager of the season after Albie Barker confirmed his resignation today after only nine games in charge.

The club suffered a 6-0 defeat away to Tunbridge Wells this afternoon, a result that leaves them in the bottom six (12^th place) in the Southern Counties East Football League table with five wins and ten defeats from their fifteen league games.

Barker took the helm at The Charles Sports Ground after long-serving stalwart Derek Hares stepped down on 8 October 2013.

Tunbridge Wells climbed up to third-place in the table, courtesy of five goals from Chris Seenan and one from Joe Fuller.

Martin Larkin’s side are two points behind leaders Ashford United with 37 points from sixteen games, although Paul Chambers’ side have two games in hand.

Ashford United will travel to Hanwell Town next Saturday, after today’s FA Vase Fourth Round tie was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch following a ten o’clock pitch inspection in west London.

Barker has decided to quit the club only six days after Dayle Melody stepped down as Deal Town’s chairman.

Dover resident Barker, 28, who was promoted to the club’s top job after a stint as reserve team manager, issued a brief statement on social networking giant Twitter.

“I have resigned as first team manager at Deal Town,” said Barker.

“Today was scheduled to be my last game regardless of the result.

“There are some cracking players at the club in both the first and reserve teams and I wish them well for the future.”

Barker’s wife is due to give birth to their first child soon.

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dealtown