Stourbridge sack ex-EFL player turned manager after failed attempt at promotion

Stourbridge sack ex-EFL player turned manager Mark Yates after a failed attempt at promotion and a woeful start to the 2021/22 season.

The experienced 51 year old came into the Southern League Premier Central club back in February 2020, and finished the postponed 2020/21 in 7th place finish, taking 11 points from 5 games played.

However, his ambitions of going up messed up big time for the following term, sitting 18th out of 21 teams and picked up just one win, five draws and six defeats after 11 league matches.

He had previously managed the likes of Kidderminster, Cheltenhamm, Crawley, Solihull and Macclesfield Town. Yates also had a playing career with clubs such as Birmingham, Colchester, Burnley, Lincoln, Doncaster, Kidderminster and Cheltenham Town.

CLUB STATEMENT:

The Club’s board of directors would like to issue the following announcement to supporters.

Following a meeting this morning between Andy Pountney and Andy Bullingham, on behalf of the board of directors, and Mark Yates, it has been agreed between all parties that Mark, along with his backroom team of Neil Howarth and Gavin Hurren, will be leaving the club by mutual consent with immediate effect.

Chairman Andy Pountney commented: “The board of directors would like to thank Mark and his team for all their hard work and efforts since taking charge in February 2020, particularly during these covid-19 affected times. We sincerely wish Mark, Neil and Gavin all the very best for the future.”

Further announcements will be made by the Club in due course.

Stourbridge added just hours later: “Following on from today’s earlier news, an interim management team has been appointed to take charge of our games at Royston and Tividale.

“Lewis Solly will take charge of the first team for the away league match at Royston Town on Saturday and the Birmingham Senior Cup tie at Tividale on Tuesday night. Lewis is obviously well-known to most of you after making nearly 400 appearances for the club as well as being the goalkeeping coach at the club more recently.

“He will be assisted by Lee Vaughan, who is currently side-lined through injury, with Darryl Knights taking on coaching responsibilities.

“Please get behind them and the players in the meantime while the managerial situation is resolved.”

Fans gave their reaction as non league Stourbridge sack ex-EFL player turned manager after his failed attempt at promotion…

@DeanGillTG: @fergie9090 didn’t do that bad a job after all 🤔

@HarryEd09641148: Lee mills has got to be the favourite

@_Nev20x: Not gonna celebrate anyone losing their job, but it really needed to be done. Not sure why we wasted a month when writing was on the wall, but there we go.

@theraffleboy: Reckon the signing of a 35 year old centre forward who’s scored 1 goal in 5 years was the final straw! All the best thou to Yatesy and Neil for the future

@nobbs1703: Credit should be given for at least having trust and confidence in blooding the kids.

@stujess: Agree. We have a pool of very talented players coming through at all levels. Hopefully his successor continues to give youth a chance

@PortmanGregg: Results based industry unfortunately let down by some big names who didn’t materialise, personally will always be grateful for giving my son his debut at 16 best of luck

@YouYeltz: Just wanted to put it on record to Mark how grateful we are for all his hard work and, whilst he’s not been able to see the job through, he will at least get free drinks in every Halesowen pub for the rest of his days. #CheersMark

@jedi1873: From a tongue-in-cheek perspective, this is devastating news. But in seriousness, it should’ve been done sooner. From the outside looking in, it was a complete car crash. Banter aside, I want to see bother clubs be successful.

@JAYNEHAMILTON2: Let’s be honest. It couldn’t have got much worse and we were heading for a relegation battle. I’d rather take a punt on somebody else, while there’s still time to make a difference. If it doesn’t work then so be it, but I think it’s the right decision to try.

@adamace2021: @leon_broadhurst as player manager would get my vote – despite the lack of experience #heartoverhead

@NHarvoutt: I said at the time hackett was only missing 1 or 2 pieces from his jigsaw and he had another season for sure but sadly too many “fans” had a say, look where its gotten us. You get what you deserve at times and we were so lucky to have had gaz, fordy, cliffy n co! Bring em back!!

@adamace2021: I always like to see a manager given a chance to turn things around. But I could have foreseen this since the day Stamford beat the Glassboys in last year’s FA Trophy. Who to turn to now? Nobody immediately springs to mind.

@theraffleboy: Leon and Pierpoint joint managers for me mate

@bekhowell41: Had to be done, onwards and upward from here…good luck to Mark, Neil and Trigger for the future though

@richardparkes74: No hard feelings towards Mark and his team, it just wasn’t working here. We need a team that can connect with the fans, there hasn’t been much of a buzz around the WMG recently.

@Ian4Moulsdale: Should of been done 12 months ago ! Was obvious it was never going to work!! Let’s get sorted and try and save the season!!

@KeithBurson: On paper the squad he put together should have been one of the strongest in the league. Interested to see if a new Manager can get more out of them. I doubt it.

@Mossi28: About time, writing has been on the wall for a very very long time, personally I’d have sacked him after pre season against Worcester, onwards and upwards!

@richardnoall: It was coming…..just a matter of when.

@mark_askins: Thank fuck for that!

@BrackleyBrian: Gavin Cowan is available