Swallownest part company with Stocks
14th December, 2020
Swallownest have announced that Jordan Stocks has stepped down from his role as manager at the Toolstation NCEL Division One club by mutual consent.
Chairman Mick Kent described it as "a sad day", adding: "Jordan has a real genuine love for the club and has given us his all in the five years as a player and then as manager.
"We have been fortunate to have the services of an excellent manager who has built a strong young squad.
"All at the club really appreciate all he has done, and we wish him well going forward."
Stocks was appointed as manager in October 2017 during Swallownest's first season in the NCEL following promotion from the County Senior League under the direction of Lee Needham and Tom Hague.
He agreed to curtail his playing career to "help the club out" following the departure of the management duo and he steered the team to an eleventh place finish in 2018.
After agreeing to continue the role, a tenth place finish in 2019 and ninth in the COVID-19 curtailed 2020 season has helped establish the club as a solid NCEL outfit.
During this time, and with the support of assistant manager Lloyd Gelsthorpe, a talented young squad has been assembled that have great potential to further progress in the league and build on the foundations set by the duo.
A club statement explained the circumstances surrounding Stocks' departure, saying: "Following incidents that took place at the club during the first COVID-19 lockdown, the trustees of the Miners Welfare - the lease owners for the facilities at Swallownest - made decisions resulting in Jordan being unable to attend home matches to carry out his managerial duties.
"Attempts to resolve the issues over a protracted period have been unsuccessful and the situation has become untenable.
"As a result, and with the best interest of the team and club at heart, Jordan has offered his resignation and the management committee of the football club has reluctantly accepted."
The search for a new manager starts immediately and anyone who is interested is asked to email chairman Mick Kent at kent97@btinternet.com to discuss the role further.
(Story Source: Swallownest)
Click here for Swallownest's team page.