Hollands & Blair turn to Darren Blackburn after Clint Gooding fails to turn around fortunes after only six games in charge of the club

HOLLANDS & BLAIR parted ways with manager Clint Gooding yesterday after only six games in charge of the club.

The Gillingham-based outfit are second-from-bottom in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having picked up four wins and a draw from their opening 16 games.

“It’s with regret that we have to announce that our first-team manager Clint Gooding has had to stand down for personal reasons,” said a club statement.

“We would like to thank Clint for his efforts in his short tenure and wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”

Gooding took charge of the home Kent Senior Trophy tie against Holmesdale on 12 October and progressed by winning 4-3 on penalties after playing out a goal-less draw.

Blair then picked up just one win in their next five league games, losing 3-2 at home to Corinthian, beating Larkfield & New Hythe 1-0 at home, before suffering three defeats on the spin to Glebe (0-4), Tunbridge Wells (1-4) and a 1-0 defeat away to Larkfield & New Hythe at the weekend.

The club have appointed former player, coach and manager, Darren Blackburn, having coached Isthmian League South East Division trio, Sittingbourne, Hythe Town and Sheppey United since leaving the Darland Avenue outfit.

“The current backroom staff remain in place and we wish them and Darren every success,” added the statement.

Hollands & Blair are just one point adrift of safety, with Lordswood just above them in the table but they do have a couple games in hand and Lydd Town are at the foot of the table with one fewer point and also have two games in hand.

Hollands & Blair travel to fifth-placed side Larkfield & New Hythe on Saturday in the Kent Senior Trophy Second Round.

Visit Hollands & Blair’s website: www.hollandsandblair.co.uk