It has been revealed on the 23rd of July that a non league manager has been removed from his role after just three weeks in charge.
You may remember that we reported 21 year old Alfie Tate as being appointed by United Counties League side Blackstones.
He currently holds the record for the youngest manager in FA Cup history at the age of 20 years and 79 days, earning national acclaim when he took charge of Pinchbeck United in their 4-0 extra preliminary round defeat by St Neots Town back in September 2020.
However, he will now be up there for one of the quickest managerial departures in non league history, and it’s taken many by surprise.
Unfortunately for Tate, he didn’t even get the chance to manage a competitive match before he was dismissed by Blackstones with the club going on to quickly appoint Ryan Hunnings instead.
Tate took charge after previous manager Mark Baines quit for personal reasons, so was rather surprised at the work cut out for him, inheriting a squad of one player and wanted more time to build a competitive squad.
Tate said: “After just 3 weeks in the role, I have been replaced as manager of Blackstones FC.
“I’m sure most will agree that three weeks is no time at all in football and with the club having retained only one player from last season’s squad, the rebuild was huge and was going to take time.
“We brought in a variety of more experienced lads who had played and succeeded at this level, if not higher. As well as a number of younger lads who had proved they deserved an opportunity and held their own in the few friendlies we had.
“I’m disappointed to be leaving with the lack of time I was given, but I wish the club and the new manager all the best for the season.”
Blackstones played three matches under the young boss, it included a 9-0 defeat against higher level Stamford in the Jeremy Biggs memorial match, then followed by a 3-2 pre-season victory at Burton Park Wanderers before Blackstones lost 3-1 at home to Peterborough League Premier Division side Stamford Bels at the weekend.
CLUB STATEMENT:
Following a very short tenure as manager of Blackstones FC, Alfie Tate and the Club have decided to part company. Blackstones FC wish Alfie success in future projects and are sure he will succeed in any future ventures.
With Alfie leaving, Blackstones FC are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Hunnings as the new manager. Ryan started his managerial career at Langtoft United, and managed there for two seasons, leading them to the Senior Cup Final and victory in the Jack Hogg Memorial Shield, before moving on to Huntingdon Town as joint manager then Oakham as sole manager, most recently Ryan has been at Uppingham Town in the PDFL Prem, reaching the Senior Cup final before the season was cut short because of the Covid pandemic.
Blackstones FC announce another Managerial changehttps://t.co/dtWDVKvsU8 pic.twitter.com/bjixlUaKOa
— Blackstones FC (@fcblackstones) July 23, 2021
TATE ADDED ON TWITTER:
“Just want to thank everyone who has messaged or commented over the past 24 hours with their support and kind comments.
“I’ll use the weekend to reflect and reset and then look to get out to watch plenty of games and training sessions of other coaches / managers which I’ve always enjoyed doing. The learning process of a manager / coach is never ending and the methods and ideas are always evolving.
“When the offer is right, then I’ll happily jump back into the game in a more active role. Many thanks again for the support and hopefully won’t be too long before I’m back in the game.”
Fans reacted as the non league manager gets removed from his role after just three weeks in charge…
@eynesburyutd: Shockingly poor from @fcblackstones… what did they expect in three weeks?? Classy statement 👍
@osully87: Gutted for you pal, 3 weeks is nothing
@ChrisCook1979: Classy statement bud. Personally I think it’s a disgrace, I’d wish them fuck all luck. #TinpotClub
@Jordan_Ignite: Sorry to hear that Alfie. This pre season has been so tough with Covid and euros, bet you’ve had players out left right and centre. 3 weeks equivalent to probably 9 sessions? Keep your head up mate.
@adam75fairbroth: What a joke
@CoryRose32: What a shite club. Shambles.
@Allthebadgesbu1: Surely they knew that even someone with all your coaching ability & credentials needed more than 3 weeks. Keep up the self promotion pal someone will take another bite.
@RobPooley1976: This is bloody disgusting mate, I genuinely feel for you pal… some clubs truly amaze me… always here if you need a coaching fix or a chat mate
@kevlaa83: 3 weeks wtf Blackos?
@MorganCWright: Jesus that’s a joke 🥴
@AlwynLFC: Never met you Alfie but to only give any manager 3 weeks in the job whatever there age is nothing short of a joke.
@AndyDavies_100: Well that’s football mate the ever revolving door if they have made the call to change managers after 3 weeks of preseason then I would suggest your better off out of it put it down to experience learn from it and move on
@GarrethNewton7: That’s ridiculous , good look in your next job.
@NonLeague16: That’s crazy! Although can’t comment the whys and how’s. But three weeks isn’t any kind of time at all. I hope you are ok and get back into football quickly!
@UnofficialFenny: What a fucking shambles of a club @fcblackstones
@Tad690: Keep the faith mate 3 weeks us no time at all despite the fact you’d have been working for the full 21 days! My Q would be what changed in the 3 weeks after they were happy to appoint you? Sounds like you got a hell of a lot done 👊🏻⚽️ #KeepGoing
@jmoore_96: Sorry to hear that Alfie. Its no wonder football can leave so many of us mentally & emotionally scarred. If that’s there level of class its the best thing for you to be out of there. Everything happens for a reason mate, all this means is there’s something better in store for you
@theadamwade: Three weeks and not a competitive game to boot. What on earth is going on.
@nonleague91: Seems bizarre to replace you during pre season. Fair enough if there had been a bad start to the season.
3 weeks👀👀
I’m not sure if even Bielsa could turn a team around in 3 weeks🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/a9TDNBpPBq
— Rob Porter (@RJPcoach) July 22, 2021
Blackstones right now….
3 weeks is no time to Recruit, put together a team & get them playing the way you want.
Rome wasn’t build in a day… pic.twitter.com/rY1GjmFPFW
— Ian Walker (@IanWalker93) July 22, 2021
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