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AFC Wimbledon

National League manager speaks on links to vacancies at Wimbledon and Crawley

The manager of one National League club speaks on links to vacancies that are currently up for grabs at AFC Wimbledon and Crawley Town.

On the 7th of May, the Wombles’ interim first-team manager Mark Bowen ruled himself out of contention for the permanent manager position in order to take up a different role at Reading.

Wimbledon interim chair Mick Buckley said: “Mark and his assistant Eddie Niedzwiecki joined us on a temporary basis at a very difficult point in the season.

Photo Credit: broccolimay

“They were excellent to work with, incredibly professional in every area and did everything they possibly could. It’s no surprise Mark has now been appointed to a level of football we simply can’t currently compete against financially.

“The position of permanent first-team manager, therefore, remains open and we will conduct a proper interview process to select the best-possible candidate for this role.

“We would like to reassure all our loyal fans that filling this vacancy is our top priority and we will keep you informed of any developments as soon as we possibly can.”

Mark added: “Eddie and I really enjoyed our time with the club and I would like to thank all the players and football staff for the open-minded and professional way they embraced us. Although results and luck didn’t go our way, the players couldn’t have given any more.

“I would also like to thank Mick and all the club staff for what they do. It’s clear to me that AFC Wimbledon has huge potential to move forward and I’d love to stay in touch like all the previous managers do.”

Meanwhile, John Yems has left his role as manager of Crawley Town after he was alleged to have engaged in racist behaviour at the League Two outfit.

He was suspended indefinitely due to the accusations came to light a few weeks back with the Football Association saying it was investigating the 62-year-old.

Crawley said in a statement they had “mutually agreed to part ways with John Yems, effective immediately” and added: “Crawley Town FC will immediately begin a global search for its next manager.”

The Red Devils came under new ownership last month, being bought by WAGMI United, an American consortium of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs, and speaking on Friday one of the new owners, Preston Johnson, said: “We’re looking forward to the next era of Crawley Town Football Club,” Johnson said. “We have an opportunity to build on more than 125 years of rich history and take this club to the next level. We’re eager to partner with our players and supporters as we build a team and community that Red Devils fans can continue to be proud of – both on and off the pitch.”

Bromley manager Andy Woodman is remaining tight lipped on his future after the Bromley boss was linked with the vacant AFC Wimbledon and Crawley Town jobs.

He recently turned down Gillingham earlier this season and there had been long speculation on his linking up with Hartlepool, though nothing came to fruition.

“I’m going to go to both of them,” Woodman joked when asked by the South London Press.

“It’s nice to be linked with these jobs and let’s worry about that at a later date. I’m happy here and we had all the drama of the Gillingham stuff before which showed my loyalty to the people here.

“There’s always going to be a little bit of noise around me with my background being around these Premier League clubs. I can’t really comment anymore on that.”

Woodman added on the rest of the season and FA Trophy final later this month: “We’ve just got to be careful and make sure we get the right minutes into people and then hopefully Monday we have a full group of players to select from, that’s the real key to me.

“No one wants to get injured now, you can see it a mile off, no ones making a tackle, I can’t blame them in that respect. But we’ve just got to get through Sunday and then hopefully we can start properly preparing for the game that seems to have been around us for ages.

“It’s a little bit disappointing of course [not to win tonight], it wouldn’t be natural if I wasn’t disappointed but there’s a bigger picture at the moment as you can see.

“Getting players back on the pitch, getting minutes into people and we showed a little bit more energy tonight and we looked like we were on the same page – as a group of players.

“Of course, I would like a clean sheet, but there’s a bigger picture at the moment.”

Bromley played out a 1-1 draw at home to Altrincham on Tuesday night, with the Ravens looking set to finish mid-table.

The Bromley boss is priced at 5/1 for Crawley and 16/1 for Wimbledon, while he’s also 16/1 for Hartlepool.

Twitter users reacted as the National League manager speaks on links to vacancies at Wimbledon and Crawley…

@StephenJAdams: Hope not.

@BFCJoe04: Not surprised you can fuck off now woodman

@Steve_WHU_: What a surprise get him gone

@PhotogSmd: So basically we’ve been ‘getting ready for Wembley’ since January then?

@AndrewSpittles: They can have him. Taken the club back in terms of the league

@daddytoatribe: More fool them. I’ll help you out the door

@666Jamiethomas: It it it it it it it it errr served a purpose. Honestly think winning the FA Trophy is the only way he’s gonna keep his job

@MRamsey1974: Smudger got sacked for a lot less that this shambles . Last game before Wembley, the ground should have been packed, fans buzzing – instead we’ve all been battered in submission already! Most voted with their feet!

@Phil_Sampson46: If you can’t beat who you played tonight how the hell u going to beat Wrexham in the fa Trophy final 😂

@JoeDuncan76: I fear the worst for Wembley.

@Griffo3926: Cricket score!!

@NayfanDenny: 2 wins in 18. Fans aren’t happy about a lot both on and off the pitch. Our own fans won’t pay 20 quid to watch this side. Says it all. #WoodmanOut

@simsini: Pathetic. No wonder nobody went tonight.

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