DOWSE LEFT HURT BY HIS CARDS EXIT
ALAN DOWSON says he is “hurt” by his sacking at Woking – a decision which split the opinions of the board at the Surrey club.
The 51-year-old saw his near four-year reign at Kingfield ended by a “20-second phone call” on Monday following a run of seven matches without a win.
Since then, director Kelvin Reay, an ally of Dowson who made the call, resigned his post while chairman Rosemary Johnson also stepped down.
Speaking to Surrey Live, Dowson, the former Walton & Hersham, Kingstonian and Hampton & Richmond Borough boss said: “I tried to do the job in a different way because I knew we couldn’t compete with money so I tried to do it the community way and get people behind the club.
“And I don’t mind if they want to do it a different way and I have no problem with that. But what has hurt me more than anything, and I have no words to describe it, is that I got a 20-second phone call off Kelvin Reay after four years of giving my life to the job.
“That hurts more than anything. There was no face to face, no nothing. I just got that. I think it’s really bad.”
In a statement, chief executive John Katz said: “Following the prolonged run of poor form in the league, the Board of Directors has taken the tough decision to relieve Dowse of his duties.
“Dowse is kind and generous with his time serving the community in which he managed.
“The club and this community will miss his charisma and passion for Woking, as will the local charities he has done so much for.”
Assistant manager Ian Dyer took charge of yesterday’s trip to Grimsby Town.