Fans hit out at ’embarrassing’ statement as 9th tier club sack manager despite sitting second

Fans hit out at an ’embarrassing’ statement as 9th tier club Bridgwater United sack their manager despite sitting second in the table.

Dave Pearse was sacked following his side’s 2-1 loss at Torpoint Athletic on Saturday afternoon, with the result seeing Bridgwater drop from top spot of the Western League Premier Division, now one point behind Helston Athletic.

The new owner wants to see the club achieve promotion, but this season results so far have been ‘good but not great’. They have picked up 10 wins from 14 games, drew 1 and lost 3, giving them 31 points.

The statement announcing the manager’s departure hasn’t gone down well, getting hundreds of replies criticising how brutal they’ve worded it.

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The club announces that Dave Pearse the club manager has departed from Bridgwater United.
After 7 years as Player Manager/ Manager (2 yrs. covid break) the club has not achieved promotion. This season results so far have been good but not great. The… pic.twitter.com/17cpYVHmAi

— Bridgwater United FC (@BridgwaterUtd) November 20, 2023

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.

The club announces the appointment of Andy Llewellyn from assistant manager to Manager. Andy brings a wealth of football league experience having made over 300 career appearances for Bristol City as well as short spells at Exeter City and Hereford… pic.twitter.com/ZfY1eHYfa9

— Bridgwater United FC (@BridgwaterUtd) November 20, 2023

STATEMENT:

“After 7 years as Player Manager/ Manager (2 yrs. covid break) the club has not achieved promotion.

“This season results so far have been good but not great. The 3 losses costing the club 9 points and over £10k in costs are not acceptable to our new owner Ian Davis.

“Ian is a very keen football supporter and wants the club to be promoted and has made this decision with a heavy heart but feels it’s very necessary that new blood is introduced to the club to give it the push it currently needs.

“Ian has invested a considerable amount to get the club clear of debt and has improved the grounds and the facilities and only wants what’s best for the club. It’s all about the club not any one person.

“The club announces the appointment of Andy Llewellyn from assistant manager to Manager.

“Andy brings a wealth of football league experience having made over 300 career appearances for Bristol City as well as short spells at Exeter City and Hereford United.

“Supporters might be familiar with Andy as he’s the father of current vice-captain Jake Llewellyn and midfielder Tom Llewellyn.

“Andy’s job will be to pull back the 9 point loses from our trips down south and get us back on the promotion path.

Our Chairman Ian Davis said: “it’s time for some new blood and I believe Andy is the right person for the job.”

As mentioned, fans hit out at the ’embarrassing’ statement as the 9th tier club sack their manager despite sitting second…

@ReviewEveryFoul: Genuinely curious as to why you felt the need to include (2 year covid break) 🤣 it’s still 7 years. Oh and your statement is a bit of a joke for someone that devoted so much time to your club

@ShaunVincent85: Wow, who would take that job now! What a statement

@Erndogz: What a shambles of a club statement. “It’s all about the club not any one person.” Yet that statement is full of Ian this and Ian that.

@RMcErlain: Wow this absolutely stinks. Not even a thank you. Take the horrendous football decision out of it and not even been a decent person about it. Better out of that mess @Pearsey01. This will come back to haunt them 100%! You’ll be back in ⚽️ soon enough mate 👏🏻

@KmitaMorgan: What about 2nd place in the Table and into the 3rd round of the FA Vase? 10 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats. That’s nothing. You’ve all done Dave dirty there. You should be ashamed. 🙄

@byeo1979: Tbh why not just tell the truth, anyone who knows anything about the game knows this is a shocking statement and all crap..not just pearsey which is a shocker but bags as well.. awful.. great job mate shame u never got to finish the job..top man done a wrong un

@johnnyallen17: No Class No Respect!! The decision alone is nothing short of a scandal BUT to not thank a man who dedicated his life as a manager for that club is unforgivable…

@scott_brice: @Pearsey01 you’ve been done here horribly 👀👀👀🤦🏻‍♂️ Great bloke there loss and someone’s gain

@stu24jones: This has backfired in a big way. Get your feet up dave and enjoy the comments!

@AaronStill85: Madness!!! 🤯 Absolutely zero class to this statement, with the team sitting 1 point off top & those costs occurring whether you won, lost or drew 🤷🏻‍♂️ What a chopper.

@LHC_19: I expect everyone reading this wants Bridgwater to do really well now 🤥

@Markpratten3: Sadly the owner making it about himself, really poor statement from the club/owner.@Pearsey01 deserves massive credit and thanks for time and commitment he has given your club over 7 years really poor.

@BSF2020: I’ve been involved in local football for 30 + years and this is an absolute joke. Moaning because they’re second and lost 3 games? Dave is a great lad and there isn’t one person who thinks this is a good idea. By all means if a new chairman wants his own man do it in the summer

@slappy44407439: Improved the ground!!!! 😂😂😂😂 teams wash in the rain coming through the roof of the changing rooms because it’s heavier than the showers!!

@KJMsport57: Awful decision and an appallingly cold announcement. I watched Bridgwater on Saturday and they played well in difficult conditions. I’ve never known a club sack a manager when they are top of their league as Bridgwater were on Saturday.

@RobDray1: The sooner there is regulation in non league of owners , chairperson , or any other custodians of clubs who come in the better absolute mess and incredibly sad for everyone still emotionally involved .

@ASevs6: Would of cost 10k if you won all 3 games too 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Oh and you missed the bit where you thank the gaffer for all his hard work over the years. 🤔 Hope it backfires massively for you 👍🏼 absolutely classless.

@AdamVenton: Strange way of writing “we thank Dave for all his hard work over 7 years and wish him the best” 🤦🏻‍♂️💀

@4pillarscoach: Football is wonderful, most of the time. It is, however, for all. That includes conscientious, empathetic and development focussed people. Unfortunately it also includes clueless people who shout WIN – frequently and really loud.

@LiveGRfootball: What happens if you lose the next 3 games?

@AlfieHouseEcho: This is an embarrassing statement.

Shameful statement. Is this the same Ian Davis who’s currently banned from all football for 98 days for abusing and being threatening towards match officials? Clearly a good football bloke… pic.twitter.com/wG8PFgWfIN

— GA (@GA1887) November 20, 2023