Gary Alexander leaves Glebe with a heavy heart due to personal reasons and to spend time with his family

GLEBE begin the search for a new manager after the shock news that their manager Gary Alexander has decided to step down due to personal reasons.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I’ve decided to step away from Glebe after a difficult two years and personal reasons," said the 41-year-old former Greenwich Borough and Ashford United manager.

“I’ve opted to take a break and spend time with my family.

“I’ve made friends for life and will most certainly be a visitor on a regular basis – thanks to everyone.”

Glebe chairman Rocky McMillan said: "Gary Alexander has today resigned from his position as first-team manager.

"Gary wishes to take some time away from day-to-day management for personal reasons - and the club fully respects that decision.

"We would like to thank Gary for his total professionalism and hard work during his time with us.

"He will always be welcome back to Foxbury and we wish him every success in the future."

Striker Alexander played for West Ham United, Exeter City, Swindon Town, Hull City, Leyton Orient, Millwall, Brentford, Crawley Town, AFC Wimbledon and Burton Albion.

He then dropped down into non-league football In July 2014 to play for Greenwich Borough, before taking over as manager after the club parted company with Ian Jenkins in December 2015.

He secured the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title in 2016, while the club were hiring Dartford's Princes Park.

The next season, Greenwich Borough reached the Isthmian League South East Division play-offs but lost out to Corinthian-Casuals in the semi-finals and departed the club in January 2018.

He played under James Collins at Chatham Town for a couple of games before being appointed the assistant manager of Isthmian League South East Division side Ashford United in January 2018, before becoming manager the following season.

He left Homelands Stadium in November 2018 and after a spell scouting for Millwall he was appointed Glebe's manager on 6 September 2019.

A hugely popular and respected figure in local non-league circles, Alexander scored 222 goals in 730 appearances during his glittering career and who can forget THAT GOAL he scored for Millwall against Scunthorpe United at Wembley Stadium in the League One play-off final in May 2009.

Meanwhile, the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division seasons did not finish due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The Chislehurst based club begin their new league campaign on Saturday 31 July 2021.