HODGES AND TODD QUIT CRISIS CLUB TRURO
LEE HODGES and assistant Chris Todd have become the National League’s first managerial casualties of the season after standing down from their positions at Truro City just two games into the new campaign.
The White Tigers have been plunged into crisis after being forced out of their Treyew Road ground earlier this month, leaving them having to play home games 100 miles away at Torquay’s Plainmoor stadium.
They started with a 4-0 home thumping by Billericay on the opening day but followed that up with a creditable 1-1 draw at Weston-Super-Mare on Tuesday night when Hodges revealed the duo’s decision to quit.
“I do not want to say too much. It is not just one thing, but a culmination of different things,” he told Cornwall Live.
“As things stand this was our last game in charge and we would like to thank everyone including all the fans and players who have supported us.
“I know it is not good timing, but it gives the club plenty of time to get someone else with lots of games left. I feel I need a break, I am drained and it’s not fair on the players.”
The duo, who guided Truro to the National South play-offs last season, signed new two-year deals to stay at the club this summer but informed chairman Peter Masters and the players they would be stepping down before Tuesday’s match.
The club announced their departure in a statement which read: “Truro City FC can confirm that first-team manager, Lee Hodges, and assistant manager, Chris Todd, both tendered their resignations ahead of last night’s game.
“We have reluctantly accepted their decision and thank them for their efforts on behalf of the club and wish them well in the future.
“There has already been considerable interest in the vacancy and we hope to be in the position to make an announcement shortly. In the meantime, now is the time for us all to look forward and ensure that the players are given the backing that they deserve as we look to secure our first victory of the season on Saturday.
“Senior player, Ben Harding, will be in charge of the team in the interim period and the players are all rallying around him to ensure that we can continue moving forward and making progress.”