SWIFTS NOT IN RUSH AS DICKS GOES
HEYBRIDGE Swifts will not rush to name a new manager after Julian Dicks’s resignation, says chairman Gary White.
The West Ham legend left his role after a 2-1 loss at home to Stowmarket Town on Tuesday with Swifts bottom of the Isthmian League North.
Dicks returned to Heybridge this summer having won the division’s play-offs in his first spell in 2019, but the club was denied promotion on points-per-game.
Dicks’s assistant Steve Tilson, the former Southend United and Canvey Island boss, has stepped up to become caretaker manager.
“We’re thankful to Julian for his work, he’s a friend of the club and always will be,” White told The NLP. “Covid made the recruitment market for players a good deal harder and clubs seem to be paying more money at this level at the moment.
“We’ve concentrated on infrastructure with a new 3G pitch, and perhaps taken our eye off the ball a little bit in the playing side and I shoulder the responsibility for that.”
Dicks added: “It wasn’t an easy decision but it is the right one for me and my family.
“I appreciate all the support I have received from Gary and Steve, the fans and the club as a whole. Now the pitch is ready I’m sure things will come together. I wish the club all the best going forward.”
Swifts’ new 3G pitch was opened against Stowmarket and, despite their league position, the club remains attractive.
“We’re financially very sustainable, we’ve got no debt, we own the freehold of the ground and we’ve got some property development work on some of the land which will ensure long-term sustainability,” added White. “That’s got to be the key objective for any Non-League chairman.
“We’re inviting applications for the role. There’s a tight network in football and we were getting contact after five minutes of the news going out.
“We’re getting lots of recommendations, I’m sure we’ll get the right person but we’re going to take our time to do that.”