The club will be left in a healthy state to pass on because that is the kind of person I am, says Lewisham Borough chairman Raymond Simpson

LEWISHAM BOROUGH chairman Raymond Simpson says he is looking to offload the club in the short-term.

The Ladywell Arena outfit parted company with joint-player-managers Byron Beard and Aaron Day following their 3-0 defeat to tenants Forest Hill Park on Monday night.

The club finished their campaign on a depressing run of 19 straight defeats and finished second-from-bottom in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table with 14 points on the board from 36 games.

Crockenhill, who lost their last 21 games of the season, finished rooted to the basement on nine points.

Mr Simpson says he is looking to appoint a new manager by the weekend but refused to return to the dug-out.

“As you can appreciate the next appointment the club make will be key and discussions are almost concluded,” said Mr Simpson.

“There are significant changes taking place at the club to ensure that they will at least be challenging for honours and not scratching around at the bottom.

“As you will know many people who have been associated with the club bad mouth the club and me in particular when it does not work out with results.

“For us to succeed on the pitch it requires what the club directors demonstrate – total commitment, dedication and hard work in all areas without excuses – we have not had that! 

“Every year we win League awards because of what we do at the club off-the-pitch. We should also be winning awards for what we do on the pitch. 

“I am not interested in team management, why would I as I already manage the club in so many areas.

“For me personally this almost certainly will be my last season.  I will get things right with the management who will do it with the players and we will be better than previous years – it will then be a good time to walk away.

“Whatever people may say my heart will always be with the club I built and the area I come from but there comes a time for all of us to hand things over to someone else.

“The club directors and the Mayor of Lewisham have again persuaded me to go another season.

“Many people are being driven out of football by the idiots who spend their whole lives on social media. When things get to the level of threats then it is time to go before I do something I may regret.

“The club will be left in a healthy state to pass on because that is the kind of person I am.”