Resignations at Kent League Greenwich Borough - Garland appointed caretaker manager

Wednesday 26th July 2006

Greenwich Borough manager Chris Cosgrove has decided to resign from his position, with less than three weeks before the start of their Kent League campaign, citing "personal commitments" as the reason for his decision.

In a statement secretary Barry Feist said: "Chris did a superb job last season and if it hadn’t been for him the club would have collapsed. We are sorry to see him go and from my conversations with him I get the feeling that he is gutted about the decision that he has had to make. We wish him all the best.”

Cosgrove, who missed Saturday’s 1-0 home pre-season friendly defeat to Carshalton Athletic reserves, had been in charge for exactly one year and last season was a god-send for the club when he took over as manager three weeks before the start of the season with very few players and managed to keep the club out of the bottom three after a long run at the foot of the table.

Mr Feist said: "I spoke to 'Cossie' at around 1pm on Monday when he'd returned from his weekend break away, he told me then that he didn’t think that he could continue with his position as manager for personal reasons.

“I asked him straight out what he wanted to do and he told me that he was resigning. This is obviously a big blow to Greenwich Borough but we can understand his situation, he runs his own business and is also a family man, these things take priority in every ones life and that's where his personal commitments lay.”

Assistant manager Gary Davies has also decided to resign from his position and the club are currently in talks with several suitable candidates.

"I spoke to Gary a few times on Monday about Cossie, the situation and the club. Gary visited him at home and I think he tried to persuade him into changing his decision," said Mr Feist.

"Gary spoke to the Chairman while I was at a Bexley and District League meeting and it was mentioned then that Gary would resign through loyalty to Chris.

"The Chairman and I can understand that as well and we both respect his reason for resigning and wish him well for the future."

Former Spurs, Newcastle and Charlton player Peter Garland has agreed to take over as caretaker player/manager for at least the first month of the season.

“Peter has a great deal of experience and passion for the game and can still produce the goods on the field at this level. The Chairman, players and myself felt that Peter was the right choice for the job and we hope that he will decide to take the job permanently,” said Mr Feist

“Things are still moving in the direction that we want and we are confident of retaining the services of all the players. This situation has not unbalanced our team, the players have been told the truth and they are looking forward to the new season.”

“Ground improvements will continue and we still have the intention of moving Greenwich Borough forward."