My thanks and appreciation go to so many people who have made the last seven years at Blair so special, says departing manager Paul Piggott

Hollands & Blair say that they will promote from within after Paul Piggott decided to step down after seven successful seasons in charge of the Gillingham-based club.

Blair were playing Kent County League Premier Division football when Piggott took charge of the club, spending two seasons at that level of football before applying for admission in the Kent Invicta League as founder members.

Piggott guided the club to third and second before claiming back-to-back league titles before winning promotion into the Southern Counties East Football League last summer.

The club led the table for a lengthy period of time but were overtaken by eventual champions Greenwich Borough and finished a respectable second-place, 12 points adrift of Gary Alexander’s side, in their first season at this level of football.

Piggott’s last act as manager was to win the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup at the first attempt with a 2-0 win over Erith & Belvedere at Park View Road to add to the haul of trophies that he has won during his time at Star Meadow.

A club statement, which was posted on the club website www.hollandsandblair.co.uk said: “After seven successful seasons at the helm, steering the club to Step 5, winning silverware and helping to develop our Star Meadow  ground along the way, Paul Piggott is stepping down as team manager.

“Although disappointed the club understand his decision as he has worked himself into the ground and a rest is badly required. He will always be a Blair man and he’ll continue to advise us.

“It will be a new dawn for Hollands & Blair but the clubs ambitions, to protect and promote our football in the community and our infrastructure will mean an internal promotion for the new team boss.”

Piggott paid tribute to his loyal players who have been on the club’s incredible journey through the leagues.

He said: "My thanks and appreciation go to so many people who have made the last seven years at Blair so special. To Plum (Laurence Plummer, club secretary) who's backed me 100% all the way, he's the heartbeat of this club and deserves all the success we've had.

"To the backroom team of assistant managers and coaches who put in the time and effort to help me get the best from the team. The committee, sponsors and supporters and finally to the players who's loyalty to me and the club has been nothing short of incredible, it's something that is rare in football and I won't forget their commitment and support.

"I wish continued success to all at Blair and I can assure everyone that I won't be far away as I look forward to next season watching as a supporter.”

The club are looking to recruit from within and hope to make an announcement very soon.

Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk

Vacancies at www.kentishfootball.co.uk covered clubs
(08/05/2016):
AFC Croydon Athletic: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
AC London: Manager
Cray Valley: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Cray Wanderers: Assistant Manager
Crockenhill: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Erith Town: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Glebe: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Hawkinge Town: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Hollands & Blair: Manager
Metrogas: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Metrogas Reserves: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Phoenix Sports Reserves: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Sheppey United Reserves: Manager and Assistant Manager/Coach
Tonbridge Angels: Goalkeeper Coach
VCD Athletic: Assistant Manager/Coach