I'm proud of my achievements on and off the park at Orpington, says former boss Sean Glover

FORMER Orpington manager Sean Glover says he has taken the club as far as he can.

Glover, 31, resigned last Friday, after two successful seasons in charge of the Kent Invicta League club.

“I believe I have taken the club as far as I can take them,” said Glover.

“I have lost three very influential players this year and I’m unable to replace them with the same type of talent or better.

“Unfortunately it’s very difficult to entice the type of players that I wanted to, to Orpington FC.

“Unfortunately my number two, Dave Smith, also decided to leave the club which also left a massive hole in the backroom staff.

“The bottom line is that I really wanted to improve and kick on after finishing five (joint-third on points) last season and I didn’t see it happening this year.

“Some may see it as being selfish but I don’t see the point in starting a season half-heartedly. I’d be letting myself down, as well as the club.

“Since I started at the club, I set high standards on and off the field and I didn’t see them being reciprocated this year.

“In my two seasons at the club, I’ve missed one game and one training session. 

“Unfortunately not all the players can say the same. At this level it’s a fine balance with players.  The majority of players would love nothing more to be there week in week out but unfortunately work and money dictates, which means football slips down the pecking order, especially if you don’t have a budget and then training gets missed resulting in games getting missed.

“I don’t blame the players, but it really frustrates me as you cannot improve players the way that you know you can.

“It is my job to improve players at this level and by not being able to do this on a weekly basis is frustrating to say the least.”

When asked to reflect on his two years at the club, Glover replied: “I think I’ve done a good job in turning around the club.

“I took over the club after they finished at the bottom of the league. In my first season we finished ninth, with relatively the same squad that finished at the bottom. 

“With a few more additions the next season, we accomplished our highest ever league position of fifth last year, when we were predicted to struggle.

“When I took over the club, the players didn’t have tracksuits, turned up late and had poor discipline.  All these issues and more, I addressed and rectified.

“Although I didn’t put any trophies in the cabinet, I’m proud of my achievements on and off the park.

“I’d like to think that I’ve raised the profile of the club especially after last year and created a positive image.

“I’d like to think that other clubs worried about us and how we played.  I think we’ve come away from the physical reputation that Orpington had and have now got a reputation of being able to play good football.”

The Green Court Road based club have swiftly appointed Byron Beard, 30, the former manager of Farnborough Old Boys Guild – a side that finished bottom in the Kent County League Premier Division last season.

“I wish Byron all the best in the role,” said Glover.

“If I’m honest, I would have hoped for a more experienced manager to take over, who can push the club forward.

“I wish Byron all the best and hope he can keep the club going in the right direction and not let the good work that has gone on in the last two years go to waste.”

Glover admitted that he hasn’t found another job in football.

“I don’t have any plans at the minute,” he said.

“The decision wasn’t made because I had another job lined up.

“I would like to continue in football, but only if the right opportunity is offered.”

Glover, meanwhile, paid tribute to the club’s stalwarts who supported him during his two seasons at the Crockenhill-based club.

He said: “I’d like to thank my staff Dave Smith, Chris Champ, John Sargent and Lauren Shrubshall who have all given their time and effort (free of charge) and helped me and the players in the last two seasons.

“A big thank you to Phil Alder, who without his commitment and dedication, the first team would never have reached the level it is at.

“I hope that the club have a successful season this year.”

Beard takes charge of Orpington for the first time when the club open their pre-season campaign with a game against Southern Counties East Football League side Holmesdale on Saturday, 12 July.

The fixture takes place at Sparrows Den, Corkscrew Hill, West Wickham at 12 noon.

Meanwhile, Farnborough Old Boys Guild, who will be playing in Division One West in the NRG Gym Kent County League this coming season, begin the search for Beard’s replacement.

“We thank him for his hard work during his short time with us and wish him good luck for the future,” said a club statement.

“We will start the process of finding a new first team manager immediately.

“Applications are invited for the posts of manager and assistant manager/coach.

“If you are interested in either of these positions, please send a football related CV and covering note to the club’s email address mailbox@fobgfc.org.”