Glebe chairman Rocky McMillan: Dismissed Harry Hudson applied for Sevenoaks Town job, had meetings and been offered the role

GLEBE chairman Rocky McMillan has reacted angrily to his manager Harry Hudson applying for the Sevenoaks Town job and parted company with him this afternoon.

Sevenoaks Town parted company with their most successful manager in Micky Collins last Sunday, after eight amazing years at the helm at Greatness Park and have yet announced his replacement.

The Oaks remain in the bottom three in the Isthmian League South East Division table, having collected 23 points from their 28 games, a point clear of both Phoenix Sports and Whitstable Town, who are both in the relegation zone.

Julian Leigh, Jason Bourne (the former Tunbridge Wells manager and captain) and Terry Groom, who all formed Collins' management team, were in temporary charge for today’s 3-1 home defeat to Burgess Hill Town, which was the clubs fifth successive defeat and leaves them dangerously close to the relegation zone.

Sevenoaks Town chairman Paul Lansdale revealed on Wednesday that he has received 57 applications for the vacancy.

Hudson guided Chislehurst-based Glebe to third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division and chairman McMillan said he had backed his manager when interviewed on 21 January.

“Glebe FC first-team manager Harry Hudson has been dismissed from his position at the club with immediate effect,” McMillan said in a statement.

“Harry has been given the full backing of the club since his appointment.  The directors, sponsors and myself have ensured that he got exactly the players’ he requested.  Despite being knocked out of four cups, the budget has remained constant.

“The relationship between chairman, directors and the first-team manager has to be one on total trust.

“I have found out that in a week, after being knocked out of the Kent Senior Trophy (by holders Sheppey United), when all thoughts should have been on gaining three points this afternoon and maintaining our promotion aims, that the manager has applied for the Sevenoaks Town FC job, had meetings and been offered the role.

“Also a seven-day notice has already been put in on one of our senior players.

“This is certainly not the outcome anybody at Glebe FC wanted.  However, given the manager’s actions, the loyalty, trust and respect between the club and the manager has been totally eradicated.

“I know some in the game will be surprised that at a time when we can still mathematically gain promotion, we are sacking the manager.  Sometimes in life you need to make decisions based on morals, honesty and always what is right for the club. Glebe FC deserve to be treated better than they have been in the last week.

“Therefore the decision to dismiss Mr Hudson has been taken.”

The club has not stated who will be in charge of team affairs for Monday night’s trip to K Sports.

Today’s home league game against Deal Town was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Foxbury Avenue.

Chatham Town remain at the top of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division with 71 points from 27 games, three points clear of Sheppey United, who have a game in hand.

Glebe remain in third-place with 55 points on the board from 23 games, while Deal Town are two points behind, having played a game more.

Former Croydon and Whyteleafe manager Hudson, who replaced Gary Alexander at the helm on 12 June 2021, was in charge for 38 games in all competitions, winning 26, drawing seven and losing five.

Striker Jamie Philpot has scored 41 goals for Glebe this season, while Sevenoaks Town's leading goalscorer, Louis Collins, who has scored 13 goals this season, has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a serious ankle injury during a recent training session.

Sevenoaks Town, meanwhile, make a short trip to play local rivals Corinthian next Saturday, have 10 games to save their bacon, or could well be playing Glebe in the ninth-tier of English football next season.

Visit Glebe’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/glebefc