END OF AN ERA FOR THE HILLIANS
Chapman resignation accepted
BURGESS HILL Town chairman Kevin Newell has reluctantly accepted Ian Chapman’s resignation.
Chapman offered to step down from his role following a 8-0 defeat to Bognor Regis at the start of the month and has since taken a “leave of absence” from the club, leaving coaches Simon Wormull and John Rattle in charge of first team affairs.
After a torrid start to the campaign, the Hillians are at the foot of the Bostik Premier table, having accuU23’s, mulated seven points from their opening 12 games. Newell told the club’s official website: “This was not an easy decision. Since he joined Burgess Hill Town FC over six years ago, Chappers has been an integral part of this club, not only in respect of the first team management but overseeing the progress of the U18’s and and has led the first team to the highest level of football that the club has ever played.
“Nevertheless, we both recognised that the team has not progressed over the past couple of seasons in the way we would both have liked, and in football, as in life, sometimes a change is needed.
“I want to express my thanks to Ian for his wholehearted commitment to the club and his support for me and the ‘off the field’ team.
“He is highly regarded at the club both as a manager and as a man that I am pleased to call a friend. I know that such friendship and his affection for the club will survive this parting. I also want to thank Ian’s family who have enthusiastically helped and supported the club throughout his time here.”