Burnham part company with player boss Manny
Williams becomes the second manager to step aside this season
After two heavy defeats to Hanworth Villa and Abbey Rangers, Burnham FC have parted company with player manager Manny Williams this week.
The Blues had been progressing nicely under Williams, with the side unbeaten in five matches ahead of their 5-0 defeat at Abbey Rangers before Christmas and 8-0 thrashing by leaders Villa on Saturday.
It was former Arsenal and England player, Paul Merson’s sons who did much of the damage for Burnham on Saturday. Ben and Sam Merson tormented the Blues in Williams final game as boss with both brothers scoring hat-tricks. Elliot Simpson scored the other two goals in Villa’s eightgoal haul, a result that lifts them 15 points clear of closest rivals North Greenford United.
It’s been an unsettled season for the Blues, with Ash James stepping down from his role as manager at the end of October due to family and work commitments.
Assistant boss Williams stepped into the breach after five successive defeats and appeared to be turning around Burnham’s form before those two heavy losses to promotion challenging teams either side of the new year.
In a tweet sent on Tuesday evening, Burnham FC said: “It is with sadness that we announce the departure of Manny Williams from Burnham FC by mutual consent.
“We thank him for his efforts in managing our first team over the past few months and wish him all the best with continuing with his playing and coaching career.”
Former chairman, and club secretary Gary Reeves, added on Twitter: “Gutted it has not worked for Manny. A legend and a true gentleman and a lovely guy. All the very best matey.”
Burnham’s most recent results have left the club 13th in the table on 20 points heading into a winnable looking home game against Wokingham & Emmbrook on Saturday. It’s not yet clear who’ll take charge of the club for that game or the remainder of the season while Williams is also yet to comment on the reasons for his sudden departure from the club.