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Woking, Chester and Torquay name interim appointments after parting with their managers

Woking, Chester and Torquay name interim appointments after parting with their managers following the weekend’s action.

Neal Ardley and Assistant Manager Simon Bassey have been sacked by Woking following their FA Trophy quarter final to league below Marine, and had fallen to 17th in the National League standings, 5 points above the drop zone, but have games in hand, although have won just one of their last five games.

Calum McIntyre was set to leave Chester in the summer but, in a statement, Chester have announced he had stepped down after a home win against Spennymoor leaves them three points off the National League North play-offs.

And finally, Neil Warnock has been placed in temporary charge of Torquay United after boss Paul Wotton was sacked following Saturday’s 5-0 defeat by Chelmsford City. Torquay sit 4th in the National League South, slipped from top spot, and are now 10 points from leaders Dorking with 12 games to go.

WOKING STATEMENT:

Woking Football Club can confirm that Manager Neal Ardley and Assistant Manager Simon Bassey have been relieved of their duties with immediate effect.

This decision follows a decline in performances over the past two months which saw us go from within touching distance of the play-off positions and the opportunity of reaching the FA Trophy semi-finals to where we find ourselves today.

Chairman Todd Johnson said: “We’ve reached the conclusion that it’s time to make a change. Ultimately, this is a results-oriented business, and the results did not match our ambitions.

“Our focus is on building a positive, club-oriented, winning culture. We believe in this group of players and in creating the right environment for them to play with confidence, intent and ambition.”

“The Club would like to place on record its sincere thanks to Neal and Simon for their contributions over the past 14 months, particularly their role in helping to stabilise the Club during a challenging period upon their arrival in December 2024, and wishes them both every success in the future.

“The wider staff structure and football framework remain in place, ensuring continuity as we move forward. In the interim Craig Ross, Jake Hyde and Dale Gorman will take charge of the team.”

@1887Cardinals: Correct decision but disappointed it didn’t work out for Neal and Simon. Definitely took us forwards after Doyle’s spell but the progress has stalled this season. I don’t think we have a great squad but it should be doing better than it currently is. Who next? Who knows!

@CalTalksNL: Can’t lie. This has really shocked me. Managers have been in worse form and kept their jobs. The problem runs so much deeper than the manager. Squad has underperformed of late – but I don’t think that’s grounds to sack him. Be interesting to see how this plays out. #WokingFC🔴

@ikiekikdkeodkoe: Think probably the right decision, Ardley a good manager but it’s not working and hasn’t done this season apart from a 2 month period. There are still many other problems around the football club

@gmandgmagain: Such a shame for them. I really wanted this to work but it hasn’t, they’ve been badly let down by those around them but the performances have gone backwards so badly it seemed inevitable.

@CairoCardinal: Right thing to do. Jody needs to go as well tho, can’t speak like that to the fans after his recent failures in recruitment. Think he started well, signed some good players but trying to round out the squad and plug the holes after the season started has gone poorly.

CHESTER STATEMENT:

Chester Football Club can confirm that First Team Manager Calum McIntyre has left his position.

It was previously announced that Calum would depart at the end of the season. However, all parties believe it is now in the best interests of the football club to part company with immediate effect.

Appointed in May 2022, Calum took permanent charge of the Blues on more than 200 occasions, guiding the club to two play-off campaigns, including the National League North Promotion Final last year.

McIntyre, who was named Manager of the Season in 2022/23, also twice led the Blues to the Emirates FA Cup First Round Proper in his time in charge.

Tonight’s news brings an end to Calum’s 14-year association with the Club, having first joined as an Academy coach in 2012.

Everyone at Chester Football Club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Calum for his exceptional contribution, and we wish him all the very best for the future.

The process of appointing a new First Team Manager is underway, and an update regarding interim arrangements will be provided in due course…

Chester FC can confirm that Connell Rawlinson has been named Interim First Team Manager of the club until the end of the 2025/26 season.

An Academy Graduate of the Blues in 2009, the 34-year-old returned to Chester back in July 2024, and this season has been a part of the coaching staff at the Deva Stadium alongside his playing duties.

Connell will be assisted by the existing management team, and will take training for the first time on Tuesday in preparation for Saturday’s home fixture against Darlington.

Calum McIntyre has penned an open letter to supporters

The opportunity to manage Chester Football Club over the past four seasons has been a privilege. This club has been an enormous part of my life and today brings an end to a 14-year association with the club that I have been so very proud to represent.

I joined the club in 2012 as a junior coach, helping establish the Academy before moving into a full-time role in 2016. I worked with so many special colleagues and players, and under so many talented managers. Seeing genuine local, home-grown talent represent the club and progress into professional football was incredibly special. To have helped 20 players come through the Academy and make first team league appearances, and seeing some of them moving to EFL and Premier League clubs, generating over a quarter of a million pounds in transfer fees, is something I am so proud to have been a part of.

When I was offered the opportunity to become First Team Manager in May 2022, I did so knowing that one day this would bring my time at the club to an end. I took the role at a challenging time for the club with a desire to create some ‘special days’ for you as supporters, and to move the club forward.

Every single day during my time at the club I have worked to the same mantra: “Club first. Others second. Yourself third”. I recognise this season has fallen short of the standards we have set in previous years, and of the expectations that were formed last summer. Ultimately, this responsibility rests with the manager.

While I am clear we haven’t achieved the ultimate goal of promotion, I hope you share the feeling that we have created some special memories together. Off the pitch, it has been so pleasing to see the growth in attendances, the incredible away followings, and to see so many younger fans begin following the club. To have helped generate funds through our FA Cup exploits and to have received over £120,000 in transfer fees over the past three seasons has hopefully given the Club a platform to grow behind the scenes. To see, and hear, the Harry Mac full on so many occasions is something I will not forget.

On the pitch, That feeling at full-time after the play-off semi-final at Kidderminster is something I genuinely cannot describe and those scenes at the end were something that every part of me had been desperate for.

There are memories and achievements that I will treasure for the rest of my life: taking the club back into the FA Cup proper at Hartlepool; our record breaking away run in 2022-23; and finally winning a play-off tie for the first time in the club’s history. They are special memories to me because we achieved them together: players; staff; and supporters. Everyone played their part.

In all honesty, I never saw myself managing the club for four seasons. I’m proud to call Chester home and working for your hometown club is something that has perhaps weighed heavy at times in the past 18 months. I believe Football Clubs need to stay fresh, they need new ideas and new people, and it is time for the club to enter a new chapter under a new manager. I had intended to complete this season to ensure responsibility for however this season ends rests solely with me, and in doing so, give the club the best possible opportunity to appoint the right candidate to take the club forward next season. It is now felt by all parties that it is in the right thing for the football club that my time here comes to an end now.

There have been so many special people at the football club, on and off the pitch, that I have had the honour of working with over so many years. I would like to particularly thank the incredible volunteers that make the club tick. The role you play doesn’t go unnoticed and I thank you for your work in ensuring we were able to put a team out on the pitch on a Saturday afternoon. I would like to thank every single player that I have worked with over the past four seasons. Getting to know you and seeing your work ethic is something I reflect so fondly on. Thank you for the environment you created and the part you have played at the club. I would like to particularly thank my coaching staff for their work ethic, their loyalty but above all else their friendship. They are some of the best human beings that I have ever met and it has been a privilege to work with them. We have stuck together in some difficult moments and I feel so grateful to have shared so many unforgettable experiences with them.

Last but certainly not least, I would like to speak directly to the supporters. Thank you so much for your incredible support throughout the past four seasons. I will always associate you with some incredible moments and special memories. Supporters are the life blood of any football club but even more so at Chester. Every single penny that is spent on the football pitch is the hard-earned money of passionate supporters who are desperate to see their club succeed. Thank you for the backing, the belief and those memories you have helped us create in recent seasons. It has been an honour to represent you over 200 times and your support has never gone unnoticed. I will always regret never quite getting the club over the line and achieving the promotion you crave, but I hope we have done things together that have made you believe in YOUR football club. Please give this team and especially the next manager the same backing that I was honoured to receive every single week as they begin the next chapter in the club’s history. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you so very much.

It has been a privilege to represent Your City, Your Community and Your Club. All the best for the future. Calum

@jake__cfc: Awful decision. Has anyone on the board watched this team attempt to defend this season?

@samainsworth1: Must have been why he came over to the main stand at full time ☹️☹️

@scott_mid: Well overseen expectations with our budget in the NLN, too many fans expect too much. Done above and beyond, grass aint always greener.

@Pauline04023347: Absolutely gutted. Those who wished him out will realise one day what we have just let go. Cal brought us so close but in the end it was his downfall as anything less wouldn’t be acceptable for some fans. I just hope that whoever follows will get this club as much as Cal did. 💔

@Rio_Doherty: Shocked to hear this, after a good win today. Thank you so much for everything Cal – you provided me with some of my favourite memories supporting us, which I’ll always be thankful for. You have a very bright career in the game for sure, and I wish you nothing but the very best!

TORQUAY STATEMENT:

Torquay United Football Club can confirm that it has today parted company with First-Team Manager Paul Wotton.

We are very grateful to Paul for his hard work, professionalism, and commitment during his time at the club. We thank Paul for his contribution, both on and off the pitch.

Torquay United wish Paul every success in his future endeavours. Neil Warnock will take the team for Tuesday night’s fixture with Farnborough and an update on interim arrangements will be communicated in due course.

“5-0 at home is not acceptable is it?” Wotton said to BBC Radio Devon after defeat to Chelmsford.

“I was really disappointed with the first half – they’ve scored a wonder goal, the second goal was really poor.

“The mad thing is the start of the second half we started really, really well, front-footed, had two or three really good chances, but the third goal was just the nail in the coffin.

“It’s been a horrendous month, it’s been awful, but I’m not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself and bemoan injuries and all this sort of stuff.

“We’ve lost 5-0 at home, there’s no hiding place.”

Neil Warnock speaks for first time on becoming interim manager for Torquay United

@john_nufc42: Personally I’m not at all surprised as a toon fan I just had a feeling that it wasn’t going to work out for Paul but I just hope you can keep Neil until end of the season and he’ll get the players going. Thoughts #TUFC fans

@scottdavies1988: Nah, this has ruined my Sunday. An unbelievable bloke who has been a huge help to me. Gutted.

@Jonny___Jones: I like Paul and wish him well. But it went very wrong. In space of a month we’ve gone from top to ten points adrift and play offs in doubt. Bryn had to act.

@SteveBa99880334: Sad to read this. I’ve got to know Paul well over the years. Top manager and a top bloke too. Just before I left Farnboro we played Torquay and they were the best side I’ve seen. Gutted for him ❤️⚽️

@RefereeSouth: If there wasn’t already a lot of eyes on step 2 football, this will bring a load more. Half the teams in the NLS are full-time/hybrid and, in all likeliness, majority will be in the next 2/3 years as step 2 grows in popularity.

@jules_alan: Wow . Always a very hard game tactically against Paul , you absolutely had to be on your game from the sidelines . A great guy aswel .

@5parky76: Loved listening to Paul speak and has assembled a very good squad. Injuries have killed the team this year. The boy loved his month loan at Torquay and spoke highly of the manager and his standards. This month has been awful in terms of results but is still plenty to play for.

@rivotufc7: Results over the last month haven’t been good enough but this just doesn’t feel right!!

@dabber1962: Top bloke and manager, manager of the month to a poor month of results but not so sure that this decision is the right one. Time will tell and then the board can pat themselves on the back or go back to the drawing board.

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