It was a very hard decision to leave Sporting Club Thamesmead, says Jason Long

JASON LONG says it was a very hard decision to leave Sporting Club Thamesmead after 15 months in charge of the club.

 

The club announced Long’s departure yesterday, which came as a surprise, especially after sitting in fourth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division at the time of the league being suspended due to the coronavirus health pandemic.

“This was a very hard decision to leave Sporting Club Thamesmead Football Club and I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years at the club,” said Long, who was assisted by versatile player Aaron Jeffrey.

“I was assistant manager in the first year working with Joe Ford before he became ill and had to step in to become the manager for this current season. I am so glad that he has made a full recovery and still proud to the day that he has done this.

“Lee Hill and Sam Taylor (the chairmen) have been superb and we have got on extremely well, it wasn’t all roses at the start but with some very positive conversations we managed to work through things and turn the club into a great success this year.

“We had our highest finish in the FA Vase which was a great achievement for the club and was sitting in fourth in a promotion spot looking to achieve promotion from the Southern Counties East Football League First Division to the Premier Division, which I feel with the momentum from the boys would have seen this happen.

“I received manager of the month for December and this was down to the hard work of the management team and good friends Taz (Jeffrey), Graham (Norris), Robbie, Wayne (Norris) and Dan Logue.

“We had a lot of knowledge and skillset to really support the boys during the season and we identified things that weren’t right at the start and I was able to correct this with bringing in some superb players and bringing the togetherness with the lads.

“I am very proud to have helped Tim Beckford to be sitting as top goal scorer after a lot of people undermined the quality this lad has got. We have built a great friendship and happy for him and hope he continues to score goals next season for the club.

“Very proud of Aaron Cathrew, a young goalkeeper at just 19, who has grown and grown throughout the season and attitude and attendance to always be around it is superb.

“Thank you to our captain Chris Hubbard for all his hard work on the pitch and his supportive encouragement to the young boys on and off the pitch. You have all been superb and I couldn’t have achieved what I did without you.

“We created a great atmosphere at the club with no budget and had some excellent days and team night outs which bought all the players closer together and we always had close to a full attendance at training on Tuesday nights.

“I am very proud of what I have achieved at this level but due to a lot of uncertainty in the world at the moment and I had to look at my financial situation and time this job can take up, I have had to focus on those areas and I didn’t think it would be fair if I can’t commit 100% to the job as I have done this current season.

“It is only fair that it is time for someone else to take the role as manager and hoping Taz, Graham and the management team and players stick together and continue the push to get promoted out of the Southern Counties East Football League as the boys are so capable of doing this.

“Again I would like to say a huge thank you to Lee and Sam for the opportunity to manage at this level and know I’ll be back in the future. Thank you again to all the boys who have shown commitment and attitude towards the objective of promotion, the support from the fans, and a great management team to help me achieve what I have at the club.

“I hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy and good luck to all the managers, coaches, players, backroom staff and fans involved with football once this Coronavirus ends and the League gets back to normal.”

The club invite applications for the vacant role and interested parties should email Lee Hill at lhsasfc@gmail.com.

A club statement said: “The club were saddened to receive the news that gaffer Jason Long was quitting the club after a fine season in charge and two at the club.

“Jason leaves with our thanks and real appreciation for all he did at the club, not just as manager for last season but as Joe Ford’s number two the previous one.

“We look forward to seeing Longy back at the club cheering us on soon.”

Article Update:

The club appointed player-assistant manager Aaron Jeffery as their new manager on 23 June.

Visit Sporting Club Thamesmead’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/sportingclubthamesmeadfc