Eastbourne Borough appoint former EFL player turned manager Adam Murray as replacement for Mark Beard who was sacked on New Year’s Day.
He won the Vanarama National League North with AFC Fylde last season, before struggling in the 2023.24 season. Can he get some success in the South?
It’s said that his impressive football CV landed him the role, and he is now tasked with getting Eastbourne out of trouble.
They currently sit 21st in the National League South, with 23 points form 26 games played, but are 6 points from safety, with Weymouth directly above them having a game in hand of them, while in 19th is Taunton on the same points but have five games in hand.
🚨 Club Statement:#EBFC can announce that the club have parted company with First Team Manager Mark Beard. Full story ⬇️https://t.co/fCwLJ8m4w1
— Eastbourne Borough FC (@ebfc_official) January 1, 2024
SACKING STATEMENT:
Eastbourne Borough can announce that the club have parted company with First Team Manager Mark Beard.
Beard arrived at Priory Lane in the summer as the club made the exciting transition into full-time football.
However, after a start of just six wins from their first 26 National League South fixtures, the Sports have chosen now is the time for change.
“Mark has worked so hard to build a new team,” said Chairman Simon Leslie.
“However, he has been hampered by numerous injuries to many of the key signings and despite some superb performances, many of the results have not gone our way.
“With the team now five points away from safety in the relegation zone, it is with a heavy heart that I feel it is time for a change in direction.
“I want to thank Mark for everything he has done at Eastbourne Borough and I am personally disappointed that we are making this change.”
Mark leaves the Sussex coast having made some great memories with the club this season – from that opening day win against Hampton & Richmond, to coming from 2-0 down to win at St. Albans City in September.
Leslie added: “To me this is abject failure. When we appointed Mark, we knew this was a tough project – and it got tougher week by week.
“With the confidence in the group very low, I feel we have no choice but to make a change.
“I am grateful to Mark for being part of this story and he will always be the first manager I appointed in football.”
On behalf of everyone at Eastbourne Borough, we want to thank Mark for his commitment to the club and unquestionable hard work. He has been instrumental in developing many of the young players and we will no doubt see some of them go to play at higher levels.
The club will make an announce regarding a new manager in due course.
🚨 #EBFC are pleased to announce that Adam Murray has accepted the role of First Team Manager at Priory Lane. Full release ⬇️https://t.co/FQ1USDBwcE
— Eastbourne Borough FC (@ebfc_official) January 4, 2024
APPOINTMENT STATEMENT
Eastbourne Borough are pleased to announce that Adam Murray has accepted the role of First Team Manager at Priory Lane.
As manager of AFC Fylde, he won the National League North last season before more recently helping Darrell Clarke turn Cheltenham Town’s fortunes around in League One.
As a player, Adam made over 500 appearances and represented England at Under 20 level, enjoying multiple promotions with the likes of Burton Albion and Mansfield Town.
Having worked at Besiktas with Dele Alli and assistant to the very successful Watford manager Valerian Ismael, Adam brings a great deal of quality and experience to Priory Lane.
Borough Chairman Simon Leslie added: “It was really important that we found an appointment who could continue with our desire to support players who have been let down by football, and in Adam Murray I believe we have found the right candidate.
“He has a proven track record of winning as a player and as a manager, as well as the exceptional turnaround he’s overseen at Cheltenham Town in recent months.
“He is buying into our vision, and that made the decision a no-brainer for us. The group are naturally low on confidence, and I believe Adam will turn that around.”
The 42-year-old also has experience and a passion for developing young players, which is really important to the club’s mission.
Murray is looking forward to working with Mark Anderson to make any required changes to the squad, both now and in the summer.
The rest of Adam’s coaching team will be confirmed in due course.
Credit – FootballWebPages
This is what fans are saying as Eastbourne Borough appoint former EFL player turned manager Adam Murray as a replacement for Mark Beard…
@andrew_raeburn: Adam Murray has scored at Priory Lane, for Mansfield. Wonder if he recalls that! He was also at Oxford when Borough beat them on the final day to stay up, but was injured at the time.
@Jakeeddss: Good appointment, did well with Fylde, but with their squad and budget, anyone can in that league
@FyldeJord: All the best @admuz & Borough. Top top manager & smashing bloke.
@Will__1981: All the best @admuz great guy and a great manager all the best for the season
@CallumHallett6: I like it a lot 👏👏🔥 Been a poor start to the season for #EBFC but with that budget they should be alright now and can push on next season. Some really talented players in that group and now a talented coach to go with it. Already been promoted with Fylde in the NLN.
@WadesAtTheWheel: I don’t begrudge him going for a job where he’d be number one, but this story is all too familiar and really hindering our growth. We bigged up his quality and experience and just like that he’s gone
@calippo11111: That’s disappointing 🙁 top guy and great for the club, best of luck to him #ctfc
@Abi_ctfc: That’s a shame that. Really top guy. All the best Adam 🙌
@paulhep91: The sort of manager we should have gone after, decent appointment for them #tufc
@Benscarrott1: Adam Murray going to NLS club? What a downgrade! Understand he wants to be first team coach, but everyone knows he’d be better off here. Oh well, DC will find a replacement who will have a bigger impact. Big bummer that. #ctfc
@ShawnHa47487632: Same old jump ship at the first chance take it he wasnt under contract and we dont get anything for it yet again? #ctfc
@KyGibo: I’d imagine there’d have been a clause saying that if he’s offered first team manager role we’d allow it. As frustrating as it is these are part of the game
@rvc86: Suppose that’s the risk you take when you have a ‘manager’ in the ‘assistant manager’ role. #ctfc
@mayhem357_mark: That’s such a weird move as he seemed happy here and was really making a big difference. Very disappointed and feel the club should have done more to keep him. #ctfc
@IronRyan96: Such a shame because he seemed invested in the project. Please say there’s some positive news regarding incomings #ctfc
@Jonesy1490: The interview a few weeks ago was great and he came across as exactly that – a nomad who doesn’t seem to settle anywhere or doing anything for long #ctfc
@WadesAtTheWheel: Makes that question about staff retention at the AGM even more interesting now #ctfc
@mayhem357_mark: What are the board doing with our non-playing staff put them on proper contracts 🤢 #ctfc
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