Darren Blackburn steps down as Hollands & Blair manager in the clubs best interest

DARREN BLACKBURN has stepped down as Hollands & Blair’s manager after sliding down into the relegation zone yesterday.

The Gillingham-based side went down to a 3-2 home defeat to Deal Town, whilst Rusthall’s 2-0 win at Croydon in the bottom-of-the-table clash at Croydon Sports Arena puts James Anderson’s side above them in the pecking order in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division relegation dog-fight.


Darren Blackburn stepped down as the
manager of Hollands & Blair after the
club slippped into relegation trouble.
Photo: Hollands & Blair FC

Croydon remain favourites for one of the two relegation spots as they are rooted on seven points with 10 games remaining.  Hollands & Blair have 16 points with 11 games left.

Rusthall are now out of the drop zone having collected 17 points thanks to an unbeaten run of five games and picking up 11 points during this spell of form.

The Rustics are now four points adrift of Punjab United, whom are now looking over their shoulder with a spell of four games without a win.

“Hollands & Blair FC announce that Darren Blackburn has decided, in the clubs best interest, to step down as first team manager with immediate effect,” said a club statement, which was published on www.hollandsandblair.co.uk.

“With the club at heart, he feels to ensure the team maintains its position as a SCEFL Premier Division club that he should step aside as manager and help the club in other matters.

“The club wishes to wholeheartedly thank Darren for showing an impeccable attitude and enthusiasm throughout his role as manager and want to recognise the 100% effort and commitment shown to the team, staff, supporters and committee in his time and hope, that after a short break from football, that he will be back at the club he has helped over many years.

“For the remainder of the season co-chairman and former first team manager Paul Piggott will take over first team duties.

“The next stage is to build a new structure for the 2019-20 season.”

Former Blair player Blackburn, who replaced Clint Gooding in the summer, was in charge of 34 games in all competitions.  They won seven and lost 23 during his tenure.

Piggott’s first game back in the Darland Avenue hot-seat is a trip to tenth-placed AFC Croydon Athletic next Saturday, 16 March (15:00).

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