Beckingham's shock resignation has rocked us, admits Thurgood

The Bromley outfit announced in a brief statement this morning that Beckingham had resigned as joint first-team manager, a couple of days ago.

But Thurgood, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk this evening, confirmed that he, club coach Billy Hughes and goalkeeping coach Tony Prime are all fully committed to the Oakley Road outfit.

The news of Beckingham’s shock departure, after four and a half years at the club, was very surprising, especially as the side are SECOND in the Bulmers Cider Kent League table - just two points behind Hythe Town - after 17 games.

“We’ve obviously got to try and carry on as normal, but it’s a big blow really,” admitted Thurgood.

“Last year we sat down, the three of us, which is the most annoying thing about it. We sat down and said we must not have the season we had last year.

“The little time I’ve known Tony, he’s never changed - he’s 110% - anything that he does he always gives it his best shot.

“I feel, he felt after four and a half years, stroke five years, he’s done the best he could.”

Thurgood has to pick up the pieces ahead of their trip to vast-improving Lordswood on Saturday.

“Basically we’ve got to use the old adage really and take every game at a time and get through to the end of January,” he said.

“We’ve had Lordswood watched, they are a very good side as far as I’m concerned and their league position belies them. We’ll give them the utmost respect.”

Today’s news must be warmly received by Paul Fisk at Hythe Town, who appear to be favourites to claim the Kent League title at the end of the season.

“We didn’t really set out any aspirations to win league’s or cups,” admitted Thurgood. “Basically, we promised ourselves that we wouldn’t have ten months like the previous ten months. We’re probably in a false position.

“It’s like most things when you part a team that goes their own way. It’s sort of parting of the ways. It’s hard to see beyond the next game really.”

Thurgood, who joined the club at the start of last season after Beckingham moved to Dubai through work commitments, spoke about Tuesday night’s events - and admitted he’s finding Beckingham’s decision difficult to take in.

“He was at Tuesday’s game (a 1-1 home draw in a friendly against Grays Athletic) and he told me prior to kick-off that he felt he has done as much as he could,” recalled Thurgood.

“I said ‘is there any way you’ll reconsider?’ He announced it to the players and went out of one door and into the chairman’s office.”

Thurgood spoke about the reaction from his chairman, Ray Tolfrey.

“I think he was pretty shocked really,” he said. “We went to watch the Erith Town-Croydon game at Thamesmead and went in the same car.

“The chairman was pretty surprised really. I’m still coming to terms with it myself. It has rocked us.”

Thurgood says out-of-work managers should not waste their time by posting their CV’s to Oakley Road, adding, “It won’t be a question of everybody impressing the new charges, because we know everybody anyway.”

But he added that he’s going to miss his other half, saying, “Tony knows his football and it will be a big loss, especially to a club like Holmesdale, where he’s had a lot of success.

“I’m sorry I’m not more upbeat - as you can probably tell, I’m still coming to terms with it and I’m in a grieving period.”

Visit Holmesdale’s website:  www.holmesdalefc.co.uk

Lordswood v Holmesdale
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 17^th January 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Martyn Grove, North Dane Way, Walderslade, Kent ME5 9XX