Manager Lee Roots leaves Chipstead: I know that I now leave the club in a much better place than when I took it over

MANAGER Lee Roots says he leaves Chipstead with a heavy heart today.

The club finished in third-place in the Andreas Carter Joma Kent County League Division One West, having collected 47 points from their 24 games, finishing 11 points adrift of Lewisham Athletic and runners-up Otford United.


HEAVY HEART: Lee Roots
(right) presents his captain
Chris Steadman the Managers
Player of the Year Award at
Chipstead's Presentation
Night.
Photo: Chipstead FC

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my resignation as Chipstead FC first team manager with immediate effect,” said Roots.

“I am very proud of all the work that I have done during my time as manager and I know that I now leave the club in a much better place than when I took it over.

“When I took over the club as manager they had played 12 and lost 12 games in the League, they had seven players available, had zero player attendance at training and there was no structure, no discipline and no winning mentality whatsoever at the club.

“Since then they have a new training facility, with training sessions of 28 plus players minimum attending every week.

“We have installed a new reserve team helping to bolster the first team squad who have gone on to reach two cup semi-finals and only just missed out on securing the Kent County League Division One West league title, finishing third and delivering some great performances, in turn allowing me to win manager-of-the-month awards during my tenure.

“I would like to say a massive thank you to the chairman Alan Black for giving me the opportunity just over two years ago to manage a club I have so much love and passion for.

“I know we have built a great foundation at the club that can be continued to build on.

“Alan is an incredible human being, someone I hold in such high regard and will continue to do so in the future.  He puts so much time and effort into the club and really is the heart beat of all that is good at Chipstead Football Club.

“I want to take this time personally to thank my assistant Peter Nolan for all of his hard work and support weekly, thank you to my reserve manager Vince O’Brian for doing such a brilliant job and a huge thank you to all of my players.  There would be far too many names to mention you all individually but you all know who you are.

“Thank you to you all for your efforts, commitment and dedication to me as manager. I made sure to challenge you all, to continue to push you all, to grow your games and ultimately better you as players and every week you’ve given back more and it really has been my pleasure to have worked with you.

“The time is now right for me to move onto my next chapter of my management career.  My time here and all my work at the club will always remain very special to me.

“I would like to wish everyone involved at Chipstead FC the best in their future endeavours and I wish the club nothing but the greatest success in the future.

“I shall never forget my time here as manager. Thank you and good luck.”

Visit Chipstead’s website:  www.chipsteadfc.org.uk