Ex-England and Premier League player resigns as Grantham Town manager

Ex-England and Premier League player Carlton Palmer resigns as Grantham Town manager following a poor start to the 2021/22 season.

Palmer took over the Northern Premier League side in April upon returning to the UK after spending time working in Shanghai.

But on Tuesday night the Gingerbreads announced that Darren Ashton was stepping down as Chairman after negotiations to bring new investors to the Lincolnshire club and close friend Carlton Palmer took the decision to also leave, as a result of that departure.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Grantham Town can tonight confirm that Darren Ashton has stepped down from his role as chairman of the football club. After a few weeks of negotiations behind the scenes by Darren the club are close to finalising a deal to bring on board new investors who will take control of the club in the coming weeks once all paperwork and FA approval has gone through. Sophie Cope Vice chair will take over as Interim chair until such time.

On the news of the takeover Sophie commented. “I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Darren for coming on board at arguably one of the most difficult times in non league football, with the uncertainty around covid and a time when all football clubs were subject to restrictions playing behind close doors putting huge pressure on clubs, the football club would not have survived without Darren’s commitment to the club.”

Off the back of the announcement Carlton Palmer has also taken the decision to step down from his role as first team coach, he commented:

“I Joined Grantham Town to work with and alongside Darren, Darren and I had a clear vision for the football club in the short and long term. Darren has showed great loyalty in me over recent weeks when results have not gone our way. Our aim was to remain in the league this season and build a platform to go forward, which involved the use of the younger players within a budget. We have used several of the under 23 players and have signed some very good young players for the future. The loyalty shown in me by Darren I feel needs to be reciprocated and therefore with great sadness I have also decided to tender my resignation with the club. I would like to thank the supporters, my team and the playing staff for all of there efforts. I wish Grantham Town Football Club all the very best for the future.“

Whilst we respect Carlton’s decision we would like to thank him for his hard work and dedication over the last few months, and we wish him all the best for the future.

A further statement will be issued in due course.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Grantham Town currently sit bottom of the Northern Premier League – Premier Division, taking 12 points from 18 games played, 12 of them defeats and have also conceded 41 goals.

For one of the game she even named himself on the bench, however didn’t need to come on.

CARLTON PALMER’S PLAYING CAREER:

Youth career
Chelsea
West Bromwich Albion

Senior career
1984–1989 – West Bromwich Albion – 121 games (4 goals)
1989–1994 – Sheffield Wednesday – 205 games (14 goals)
1994–1997 – Leeds United – 103 games (5 goals)
1997–1999 – Southampton – 45 games (3 goals)
1999 – Nottingham Forest – 16 games (1 goal)
1999–2001 – Coventry City – 30 games (1 goal)
2000–2001 → Watford (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
2001 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) – 22 games (0 goals)
2001–2003 – Stockport County – 43 games (4 goals)
2004 – Dublin City – 3 games (0 goals)
2005 – Mansfield Town
2013 – Staveley Miners Welfare
2021 – Grantham Town
Total – 594 games (32 goals)

National team
1989 – England U21 – 4 games (1 goal)
1989 – England B – 5 games (0 goals)
1992–1993 – England – 18 games (1 goal)

Fans gave their reaction after the ex-England and Premier League player resigns as Grantham Town manager…

@ButlerAndy: Told you he’d not see it to Xmas

@ImpGunner: Surprised Carlton was there for that long 😒

@andymacdawlish: Gutted! At least Ashton was true to his word a couple of weeks ago. “Palmer will always be manager whilst I’m the chairman”. 😂

@dan_N_smith: Palmer lasted as long as Pulis at Wednesday.

@coxstephen11: Will we have a team for Saturday??

@abp8351312: Thats quite a statement

@bm4coffee: Not easy this non league lark! #weakminded

@StephenJCme: Carlton Palmer steps down as the pressure heats up on Ole. I don’t believe in coincidences @ConlonPablo

@jcw_72: I think everyone in non league football knew he wouldn’t last until Xmas 🤷🏻‍♂️

@Haighy97: Carlton Palmer stepping down because he can no longer work with his racist bastard of a pal

@JamesKay89: Moneys gone – Managers gone #Knocker If you bring cash @CarltonPalmer I will buy the beers? Deal? 🤷🏻‍♂️

@Callum_Boyle_: Never a dull day with Grantham that’s for sure

@RescuedFoll0wer: What a mess

@sm_porter94: Carlton lasted long 😂

Well……this is going well.😂😁😂
3 months later….
Well YOU personally won’t be getting them relegated will you?
You spineless prick.

Chairman….GONE
Carlton Palmer….GONE
GranSCUM Town….GOING…GOING……G https://t.co/ztsvPtn2eh

— 🔰Paul Skillington🔰 (@PaulSkillington) November 9, 2021

@antmeals: Worked his magic again then.

@Stevemfc3: One of the worst players ever to play for England

@PriceGraham: Never cut it in management yet very good with opinions of others.

@teddyatswfc: That was a flash in the pan

@benridley10: Wonder how many Wednesday fans will now want him as manager because he played for us about 25 years ago!

@NigelJo08798077: That was a long stint 🤣

@1867_Owl: Grantham’ results have been abysmal since he took over, It was only a matter of time.

@OlympusPete68: Gutted for you both @CarltonPalmer @DazAsh1 I know how you both saw it panning out and thought you would achieve it. To quote @GNev2 Failure is bruise not a tattoo