We're both fed up with the game, admits Gibbons - EXCLUSIVE

Martin Farnie became the SIXTH managerial casualty of the season  - and THIRD inside 30 hours, when he parted company with his beloved Tunbridge Wells last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Farnie has been replaced by well-travelled reserve team manager Mike Robbins, whose first game in charge of the first team is a trip to VCD Athletic on Saturday.

Despite several phone calls to Farnie this evening, www.kentishfootball.co.uk  hasn’t been able to get through to him, but Steve Gibbons, 36, his assistant manager and close friend, admits to being kept in the dark by the club's chairman.

“I don’t know what’s going on!” Gibbons said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Martin rang me up last night and told me - and that’s it!

“That’s the only contact I’ve had from the club, nothing from the chairman, not had any contact since Sunday.”

When asked what his position at the club is, Gibbons replied: “I haven’t got one as far as I’m concerned. The reserve team manager has taken over.”

Despite Farnie being unavailable to make comment during a week where managers are losing their jobs in Kent, Gibbons did reveal that the pair of them are fed up with the football industry and will put their families first.

“Martin’s phone’s off, he’s fed up, it’s the only (football) job he wants to do,” revealed Gibbons.

“He said to his Mrs that this would be his last management job and he’s happy to have some family time.”

And on his own future, Gibbons added: “I’m not interested in football coaching, I’m going to play golf, look after my kids.”

A club statement said: “Chairman Nigel Bourne confirmed this evening that Mike Robbins has stepped up from the reserves to take over as first-team manager.

“Mr Bourne has now clarified that this is a permanent position.”

Ashford resident Robbins has managed the reserves at his home-town Ryman League Division One South club, coached the first team at Kent League rivals’ Hythe Town and the first team at Sussex County League side Rye United in the past three seasons, before being appointed Wells’ reserve team boss during the close season.

Meanwhile, the club advises it’s first and reserve team players to meet in the clubhouse at Culverden Stadium at 7pm on Thursday for a meeting prior to training.

Visit Tunbridge Wells' website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk.