Scott Porter steps down as Lordswood manager after only 18 games in charge of the club

LORDSWOOD chairman Ray Broad has announced the departure of manager Scott Porter after 18 games in charge of the club.

Broad didn’t give Porter enough time at the end of the season, giving him the last seven games of the season, as the club suffered relegation from the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division for the first time.

Porter lost four of his first seven games in charge of the club, as the club lost their 29-year status at that level.

Lordswood sit in sixth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, having picked up four wins, three draws and three defeats and are 10 points adrift of league leaders Greenwich Borough, who have a game in hand.

Lordswood suffered a humiliating 9-0 home defeat to in-form local rivals Rochester United last Tuesday (with Jack Nelson scoring six goals) and Porter decided enough was enough after his side lost 3-0 away to Lewisham Borough, watched by a crowd of just 57 at the Ladywell Arena yesterday.

“Lordswood Football Club can confirm that manager Scott Porter has decided to step down from his role as first team manager,” said Broad.

“We would like to thank Scott for all his hard work during his short term at the club.

“The board want to reassure our sponsors and supporters that the club remains fully focused on building a strong future both on and off the pitch.

“Our immediate priority is to ensure stability and continuity.  The search for a new manager is already underway.”

Porter won five, drew five and lost eight of his games in charge of Lordswood.

Lordswood, who have now lost their last three outings, travel to bottom-five side Sheppey Sports next Saturday.

AFC Greenwich Borough (25 points from nine games) are at the summit in the tenth-tier division, with the four play-off places currently occupied by Rochester United (24 points from eight games), SE Dons (19 points from eight games), Greenways (19 points from seven games) and Tooting Bec (17 points from nine games).

Only Rochester United and Lordswood in the top-six play at their own grounds as the other sides hire Holmesdale in Bromley, Chatham Town, Rochester United and Chipstead (Surrey) respectively.