Lingfield move is right for me, says Beckingham

Monday 08th June 2009

CROYDON chairman Dickson Gill has tonight confirmed that the club are searching for a "long-term" manager, following Tony Beckingham's shock decision to quit the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Following a telephone conversation, Beckingham confirmed his resignation by sending his chairman an email last Friday morning, to say that he was to take up the post of first team manager at Sussex County League top-flight side Lingfield.

A stunned Mr Gill, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, says he's disappointed with Beckingham for turning his back on his second Bulmers Cider Kent League club in only five months.

"I don't know why he wants to leave, but that's his choice," he said. "It's very disappointing to say the least, especially when we've agreed a budget, which players are staying and everything - and what he wants to do with it.

"And two weeks later you hear that. It's a kick in my knackers"

Croydon went through FOUR different managers, if you include Mr Gill, last season, with Mark Tompkins, David Leworthy and Beckingham taking charge of team affairs.

And Mr Gill insists he is searching for a manager who can commit to the Croydon Sports Arena club for the long-term.

"I've had speculation, people ringing me up and saying things like "you've got rid of another manager," he explained.

"I don't want to hear that because I've never done that, any of them, bar one, and the others have left because of their own accord.

"I don't want to mislead anyone in anyway. If you read his letter you can draw your own conclusion (why he's left) can't you?"

Mr Gill, who goes on a week-long holiday tomorrow, thought Beckingham, his assistant Ken Thurgood and goalkeeping coach Tony Prime were the dream package.

"This club has had good stability and it's undone again for whatever reason," he said. "I don't want to be taking the blame for it at all.

"I've had quite a few phone calls and I'm not going to rush into anything. I'm looking for someone for the long-term plan, because this year we've been quite successful with the FA Vase and the Kent League Cup run.

The Trams finished their turbulent campaign in ninth place in the Bulmers Cider Kent League campaign - 21 points adrift of promoted champions VCD Athletic and clinched the Kent League Cup for the very first time.

Erith Town striker Marcus Cassius' 43rd goal of the season had cancelled out Tony Atkins' header but the Trams recovered from that set-back to win 3-1 on penalties.

And Mr Gill added: "With all the problems we've had, we've done well. I'm not looking for that, I'm looking for better than that to secure the club's future by making sure we've got a long-term future manager."

The Croydon chairman has sent www.kentishfootball.co.uk the emailed "letter of resignation" that he received from Beckingham, who quit rivals Holmesdale thirteen days before taking over at Croydon in January.

"Further to our telephone conversation it is with great regret that I have to confirm my decision to resign from my position as first team manager at Croydon FC to take up the post of first team manager at Lingfield FC," said Beckingham.

"This was not a decision I took lightly and have agonised over it for several days, ultimately I believe that this is the right move for me at this time.

"I would like to put on record that I have enjoyed my time at Croydon FC immensely and I have had an excellent relationship with you in relation to both the on and off the field activities.

"I think that it would be fair to say that I had reservations about becoming manager at Croydon FC but these fears proved to be totally unfounded.

"I would like to thank you for allowing me the freedom to do my job whilst providing the support I needed on other occasions.

"This worked well for us both and culminated in our Kent League Cup success which was a day that will live long in the memory.

"I would like to think that we ill have the opportunity to work together again in the future, but in the meantime I would like to wish everyone at Croydon FC all the best in your quest for success."

Visit Croydon's website: www.croydon-fc.co.uk