Williams takes charge as James departs Burnham
Ash James has resigned as manager of Burnham FC with assistant manager, Manny Williams, stepping into the breach to take the club forward.
Following the club’s 2-1 defeat to Berks County in the FA Vase on Saturday, the Blues released a joint statement on Sunday confirming James’ decision to leave his role with immediate effect.
After becoming a father for a second time in September, James has found it increasingly difficult to balance his ‘work, football and family life’.
His departure follows a run of five straight defeats in all competitions in which the Blues have conceded an alarming 20 goals.
The results have left the club down near the foot of the Combined Counties Premier Division North table, just a couple of points above bottom club Holyport, having won just one of their opening 11 league matches.
The club has thanked James for his contributions, both as a player and manager, over the past three-and-a-half years but added that it’s now time for a new chapter under new boss Williams.
The statement reads: “It is now time to start a new chapter, stabilise performances on the pitch and for everyone to focus on climbing up the league as another new young manager, Manny
Williams, sets out on what we all hope will be a long and successful managerial journey.”
In his personal statement, James said his time with the Blues had been a ‘rollercoaster ride with lots of ups and downs’. He had planned to step down after Burnham’s home game with Reading City at The Gore on November 6 but has taken the decision to leave immediately as he doesn’t believe he ‘would have been able to have given his all’ up to that date.
“From being a captain to player-manager, it has been a pleasure being involved in the process of taking the club in a new direction,” he said.
“A lot has contributed to this decision, but ultimately becoming a father for the second time in September, coupled with the commute from Andover, has made it extremely difficult to balance the work, football and family life.
“I would like to thank Glenn Skivington, Nas Bashir and Adam Wardle for giving me the opportunity and experience of managing this club. I would also like to thank Gary Reeves for his help. Having someone like Gary as club secretary makes the challenges of management a lot easier.
“From having just five players at my first training session we definitely managed to build something. I wish Manny the best of luck as he continues to stay at the club and pursue his career in management.”