Changes aplenty with a manager disappointed at the Eastbourne axe, the Welling boss leaves for another club, and Banbury name a replacement.
It’s the time of year, teams start their preparations for the 2023/24 season, from incomings to outgoings be it owners, managers and players.
Monday the 5th of June was a busy one with three clubs making announcements, and we start off which one that caught quite a bit of attention.
Danny Bloor expressed how disappointed he was to be got rid of by Eastbourne Borough’s new manager – having guided the club to a one place outside the playoffs.
Danny Bloor departs Eastbourne Borough…https://t.co/tydf6zCY9h
— Eastbourne Borough FC (@ebfc_official) June 5, 2023
The following club statement read: On behalf of everyone at Eastbourne Borough Football Club we would like to place on record our gratitude to Danny for all his efforts during his time with the Club.
Danny will rightly have a place in Boro’s history after 3 and a half years as manager, consistently finishing in the top third of the division and getting to 1st round of the FA Cup in 2020.
Moving forward we will have a more data driven approach to recruitment, preparation and analysis, using the latest AI technology, equipment and platforms to manage the performance and welfare of our players.
The next Manager/ Head Coach will need to be conversant in this and be comfortable and competent in implementing such an approach.
Danny has been offered other roles within the club as we were keen for him to remain involved, but sadly he has declined to accept any of these.
We wish him all the best for the future, he will always be a friend of Eastbourne Borough.
“There will be no further comment until a new managerial appointment is made.”
🎧”Yes I’m devastated, but I do wish Simon Leslie and the club well. Its left me hungrier than ever for the next challenge.”
Outgoing #EBFC boss Danny Bloor on new owner’s decision to go in a new direction after 3.5 years 👇
(Photo: APPhotos)https://t.co/xGxFIF3EuD
— BBC Sport Sussex (@BBCSussexSport) June 6, 2023
This led to Danny Bloor saying, as per Sussex Express: “During an eagerly awaited meeting this evening (Monday) with Eastbourne Borough FC’s new owner Simon Leslie, I was informed that I would no longer be required at the club in my current capacity as the club has decided to look in a new direction.
“It goes without saying, that this is a decision that I am bitterly disappointed with given the significant successes both on and off the field that I have been privileged to have been involved with.
“On the field within my four-year tenure, and with challenging competitive resources, my management team of Ben Austin, Nick Arnold, Darren Teague, Teddy Bloor, Dean Lightwood, Chris Dumbrell, Lewis Robinson, Dan Ford, Damian Karchinski and Ray Tuppen and I have generated some fantastic achievements, consistently punching above our weight in the league table, producing play-off campaigns and of course the famous FA Cup game whereby we played Blackpool in the 1st Round Proper.
“However, despite this, the most rewarding aspect for me, has been playing a part in reconnecting the club with the community and watching the crowds increase year on year at Priory Lane.
“With the above in mind, and given the energy & passion we have always demonstrated for the club, we are naturally devastated that our part has come to an end.
“I would like to personally thank all of the wonderful volunteers, committee members and of course EBFC fans for their support to me during the past four years, we have had some great memories.
“It is my wish that these memories only get greater for everyone involved with the club and with that in mind I wish Simon Leslie all the best in the future looking after this special club.
“Thank you to everyone who has made the last four years so enjoyable. ‘Up the Boro’.”
Welling United also waved goodbye to their manager, Warren Feeney moving on for an opportunity elsewhere.
The club said: Welling United can confirm that Warren Feeney has left his position as first-team Manager.
Feeney arrived at Park View Road in March 2022 and guided the Wings to survival in the National League South, before overseeing a season of stability in 2022/23, with his side finishing 16th.
The club would like to thank Warren for all of his efforts during his time at Welling and wish him all the very best for the future.
He will, however, act in an ambassadorial role for the club, offering his advice where necessary.
Speaking following his departure, Feeney has provided the following statement:
“With a heavy heart, I have decided to step away from Welling. I have been offered a new challenge that I just couldn’t turn down.
“My stats stand for themselves regarding the ups and downs of coming in at a difficult time to save the club. I, with a heavy heart, would like to thank my players, my staff and all the fans.
“Special mention to the board and Mark Goldberg, Jerry Dolke and my great friend Andy. I want to give big mention to my friend for life, and what an honest soldier he was, in Jake Winchester who stood side by side with me through it all and for every emotion.
“And to my boss in the club who fully believed in me and was more than a boss to me. It was the most difficult decision I had to make when telling him about my decision. What a great man and I’m proud to call you a friend and more for life.
“Good luck in your next adventure. Up the Wings.”
The process to recruit a new first-team Manager at Welling United will begin immediately.
Welling United can confirm that Warren Feeney has left his position as first-team Manager.
— Welling United FC (@wellingunited) June 5, 2023
We also saw Andy Whing depart Banbury United a few weeks back after his impressive tenure which guided the club to its highest ever finish last season.
They have since found his successor: Banbury United Football Club announces Mark Jones as manager of its first team. Effective immediately, Jones takes the helm as the Club embarks on its second season playing Step 2 football in the Vanarama National League North.
A former player, Mark Jones held management roles at National League South sides Oxford City FC and Hemel Hempstead Town FC between 2016 and 2022. In the 2019-2020 season he was first team coach and lead PDP coach at Yeovil Town FC in the National League. Mark joins Banbury United with five seasons and more than 200 matches under his belt managing teams at Step 2 level, as well as 15 years’ coaching experience. Notably, he oversaw record-breaking FA Cup runs when in charge at Oxford City.
The appointment has been made within just two weeks of former manager, Andy Whing, announcing his resignation from the Club. Further first team management and player appointments will be made in due course.
“I am overjoyed to be joining Banbury United,” says Mark Jones. “I can’t wait to get started and am excited by the challenge of the season ahead. Through the interview process, I have been impressed with the professionalism at the Club and the commitment and hard work to move things forward. I look forward to building on what Andy Whing has created and to meeting the fans at the pre-season matches. My job starts immediately with an evening on the phone!”
Ronnie Johnson, Chairman of Banbury United FC, says: “We have moved at warp speed to recruit the right person for this job and are delighted to welcome Mark Jones to Banbury United. The fit between the Club, as we head into what could be a challenging season, and Mark Jones’ extensive National League football experience is incredibly strong. It’s been a tricky couple of weeks for everyone at the Club and for much of our town, from supporters to players. I am confident we will look back at today as being a most positive milestone for Banbury United.”
Mark started his playing career as an apprentice at Watford FC in the mid-nineties before moving into non-league football at Aylesbury United, Thame and Oxford City, also as a player. As an A licence coach, Mark held full-time academy coaching roles at Stevenage and Watford, before returning to Oxford City as assistant manager in 2014.
Mark was handed the manager’s job at Oxford City in 2016. He moved the team from the relegation zone to mid-table safety before leading record-breaking FA Cup runs in 2017 and 2018. Also while at Oxford, his player developing expertise resulted in the sale of individual players into football league teams.
After parting company with Oxford City in 2019, Mark moved onto National League side Yeovil Town combining a first team coaching role with overseeing the youth team. In September 2021 Mark took over the reins at Hemel Hempstead Town, as it sat at rock bottom of the National League South. With swift organisation and development of the squad, the team moved to within touching distance of the play-offs, before eventually finishing mid-table.
Mark Jones, 43, lives with his family in Aylesbury and is on a one-year contract at Banbury United.
MARK JONES 🟥🟨|
Banbury United announces Mark Jones as new first team manager
Effective immediately, Jones takes the helm as the Club embarks on its second season playing Step 2 football in the Vanarama National League North. pic.twitter.com/dlJXfyjUmG
— Banbury United FC (@BanburyUnitedFC) June 5, 2023
This is how social media users reacted with a manager disappointed by the Eastbourne axe, Welling boss Warren Feeney leaves, and Banbury name a replacement…
ON EASTBOURNE:
@GlenSTFC: Looks like the new owner is making his stance heard loud early on. Seemed Danny was a popular figure at the club and this won’t go down well. Hopefully the reason given is true and not an excuse for the owner to get his own man in.
@sjhale53: Absolutely shocking- consistently got us play-offs on the lowest budgets
@MilesR502: Wow didn’t see that coming. This next manager has got huge shoes to fill. Thanks Danny for everything you’ve given to the club on and off the pitch. Hopefully the new manager gets the fans, players and club on side as much as Danny did.
@PatChambers60: That does seem a strange decision from the outside looking in. 🤔
@opinions_fc: An absolute joke. Steady, stable and dependable management to a laptop spewing out pointless numbers. This isn’t football manager, this is grass roots non-league football.
@martynmilligan: Gutted for him. Top bloke who deserved a chance to show the new owners what he could do with a few quid to spend. Same old story though…
@benjani_windsor: This is a shame. Danny was a fine manager with excellent footballing knowledge, he deserved a crack at it with a bit of money. Good luck Danny and thank you for everything you’ve done for the club. #ebfc
@BorobladeTony: Wondered how long it would take to get rid of a really good manager. Thank you Danny for your loyal commitment to the club and all you’ve achieved ⚫️🔴
@benjaminfallon4: Absoloute ludicrous decisions that ! Has done wonders making the club be where they have been the past 3 years i’m honestly shocked ! He has always been borough through and through. Will be interesting to see where we go next and hopefully this doesn’t rock the dressing room…
@Brightonfan: Looks like the new owner is going down the Crawley route and it will only end up one way. Feel sorry Danny, he was the heart and souls of Borough!
ON WELLING:
@justjaymo: So what’s the plan now then? Should of gone at the end of the season and a new manager could of looked at players.
@DavidHomer3: Have we ever had a manager who had such disdain? Even in his last words backs the guy who got into fights with fans and broke his own ankle trying to hurt another fan in a friendly match.
@saundeel: Brilliant news what a great start to the week
@_jakewright_05: I LOVE THIS FUCKING CLUB COME ONNNN❤️ good fucking riddance. about Damn time. New chapter starts right here. Big support, new memories and hopefully one big push together. Togetherness. Community. That’s what we are❤️
@TrevB58: 16 managerial changes in 10 years says it all.
@brokendrone: Welling season ticket hotline will be in full force tonight
@cfcblue1905: Don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Good riddance.
@grahamkeen: Little worrying that he resigned, suggesting the owner was happy for him to remain
Assume the club ambassador is to keep his ties with the USA thing set up otherwise what advice are we hoping to get from him? I recall feeney saying he doesn’t get close to ppl in football but in that statement he seemed to have made lots of football friends pic.twitter.com/5MuazUoAXq
— James Harrison (@jimmycafc24) June 5, 2023
ON BANBURY:
@kbushnell1975: Trust me Banbury fans, this is a fantastic appointment for the club. The best option by far in my opinion. Bags of expertise, experience and contacts, and will bring success to the club. Get behind him and get the stadium rocking again!!
@Matt_James44: This absolutely stinks of promotion
@tudorarmyfan: What an appointment for yous mark is a brill manager and won’t let your down best of luck mark your smash it
@IanUpstone: Welcome Mark, you’ve got big boots to fill but we’ll be with you all the way.👏👏
@SpencerReds: A fantastic appointment, a manager with lots off experience & had performed well at 2 clubs, very pleased to see @markcjones_79 in the dugout for BUFC. This will allow us to build on the foundations made already. Let’s get the ground rocking when the season rolls round #UTP 🔴🟡
@meadows_liam: Let’s get right behind him just like we did with Whingy! ❤️💛
@Matt_James44: 🎶 NO NEW PLAYERS, DON’T GIVE A FUCK! MARK JONES IS TAKING BANBURY UP 🎶
@egzalotyl: Welcome Gaffa 🟥🟨
@BigGoonerGadge1: All the best Mark. ❤💛
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