It's been very hard this season not going up, says departing Hildenborough boss Andrew McKechnie

HILDENBOROUGH ATHLETIC manager Andrew McKechnie says he feels overwhelmed by the reaction from his players’ following his decision to resign after Saturday’s game.

McKechnie, 29, has been in charge of the Tonbridge-based club for six seasons, winning six league titles and three cups during that time, but he will call it a day after Saturday’s home game against Tudor Sports.

Hildenborough Athletic won the Haart of Kent County League Premier Division title last season but were denied promotion into the Kent Invicta League due to their ground not meeting ground grading requirements for step-six football.

The club are presently in seventh-place in the table going into McKechnie’s last game in charge of the club, having collected five wins and two draws from their ten league games and are six points adrift of unbeaten leaders Metrogas.

Tudor Sports arrive at The Racecourse Sports Ground in tenth-place in the table, winning three and drawing two of their nine league games.

 “It’s been very hard this season not going up,” said McKechnie.

“We didn’t have the same bite as last year and when we started to get it, we then have had injury after injury.

“I didn’t manage in the last game against Snodland but there were 13 first team players unavailable, which is just crazy, including the likes of Adam Davies, Dan Powell, Dean Spenceley, Karl Smith, Nathan Moseley, Alfie Hall, Stuart Crush, just to mention a few.

“My decision is based on that I think a new manager will breath new life into the team to carry them forward.

“This week has been very hard mainly from the players’ reaction. I thought a few might say ‘that’s a shame’, but I’ve been overwhelmed by the response with all the players’ wanting me to stay and still be involved.”

Former Ightham manager Gary Maculiffe will take over the reins following McKechnie’s emotional exit.

Maculiffe guided Ightham towards the Sevenoaks & District League Premier Division title by six points, the Smith’s Senior Cup and Sevenoaks Senior Charity Cup last season.

Visit Hildenborough Athletic’s website: www.hildenboroughafc.co.uk

Hildenborough Athletic v Tudor Sports

Haart of Kent County League Premier Division

Saturday 30^th November 2013

Kick Off 2:00pm

At Racecourse Sports Ground, The Slade, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1DS