Marcel Nimani resigns as Whitstable Town manager after failing to reach play-offs

WHITSTABLE TOWN manager Marcel Nimani and his assistant manager Craig Coles have both resigned after failing to reach the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division play-offs this season.

The Oystermen are in seventh-place in the pecking order, having picked up 64 points (19 wins, seven draws and 11 defeats) from their 37 games but they are seven points adrift of the play-off zone.

Adam Woodward’s Erith Town remain in fifth-place in the table after their comfortable 3-0 win at Stansfeld on Tuesday night, to move level on points (71) with big-spending Faversham Town.

Michael Golding’s Corinthian, meanwhile, leap frogged over Glebe into second-place in the table following last night's’ 4-2 win at second-from-bottom side Rusthall, who have extended their winless run to 21 games.

Deal Town (83 points from their 35 of 40 league games) will claim the league title if they beat sixth-placed side Lydd Town at The Charles Sports Ground on Saturday.

Whitstable Town have paid a massive price for their arrogance as they are the only club in the ninth-tier division that have their players’ names on the back of their shirts.

“The board would like to thank both Marcel and Craig very much for all of their hard work during their time at the club since joining in October 2022," said a club statement.

“Dan Eason has kindly agreed to manage the team for the remaining games of this season and we are grateful to him for his continued support.

“A decision will then be made about managerial appointments for the 2024-25 season.”

Nimani won 40 of his games in charge of the club, with a win percentage of 53%.  The club drew 13 and lost 22 games.

“The reasons of my resignation are irrelevant, what goes in the house should always stay in the house.  But the journey is all that matters," said Nimani in a statement.

“A tough decision to depart from a wonderful club, which I have grown to love in the past 15 months.

“Whitstable Town is an incredible club but also a very difficult challenge, as their history has proven.  It cannot always be down to the managers as they have all been creditable candidates.

“Ultimately, progress is progress and one day that turns into success.  If you keep knocking down progress, however small you may perceive it to be, you will never grow progress enough to turn it into success.

“Us as a management team, collectively with everyone associated at the club, we made plenty of progress and I am extremely proud of the turnaround and the impact we have made during our time, both in results and also in our identity of play and performances.

“We leave the club in a far better place and in a stronger motion for next season.

“It is a wonderful football club with a family welcoming atmosphere and I would encourage anyone to work at this football club."

Whitstable Town complete their campaign with games against Stansfeld (Saturday, away), Holmesdale (20 April, away) and Corinthian (27 April, home).

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.club