Gravesham Borough appoint Gary Abbott and Ricky Marshall as joint-managers

STRUGGLING Gravesham Borough have appointed their third manager of the season.

The Chatham-based club started the season with former Otford United boss Ricky Tompkins in charge, but he lasted 11 games, losing seven and drawing four.

The club then turned to Colin Patching and he took charge of six games, losing five of them, securing their only win of the season, 3-0 at home to Crockenhill in his penultimate game in charge.

A club statement said: “Gravesham Borough have parted company with Colin Patching by mutual agreement because of personal and work commitments, it was hard for Colin to fully commit to the job.

“We thank him for his efforts and wish him well in the future.

“We are pleased to announce Gary Abbott and Ricky Marshall have taken on the roll of joint-managers.”

Gravesham Borough are rooted to the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with one win and four draws from their 14 games, a point adrift of Lewisham Borough, who have two games in hand.

Abbott was sacked by then Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club Fisher on 26 November 2016, having won three games, drawn four and suffered 16 defeats during his spell in charge of the Rotherhithe based club.

Dean Harrison was then re-appointed as manager but the club suffered relegation at the end of last season and are now in tenth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 20 points from 12 games – 17 points adrift of leaders K Sports.

Abbott and Marshall’s first game in charge of Gravesham Borough is against third-placed Snodland Town at Maidstone Road on Saturday (15:00).