Manager Departs..

Swindon Supermarine chairman Jez Webb admitted the decision to part company with manager Dave Webb was one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make.

The Marine chairman though believes it is the “right decision at the right time” for the club and admitted the side’s recent form ultimately cost Dave Webb his job.

Two points from four matches which culminated in a 5-0 drubbing at home to Bideford on Saturday, proved critical for the Supermarine boss who had led the side for five and a half years.

Three appearances in the Division One South & West play-offs were the highlight of Dave Webb’s tenure and even now the club are just one point adrift of those places this season.

Jez Webb hailed his former manager describing him as a “tower of a man” and being responsible for lighting his passion for non-league football.

“It was one of the hardest decisions that I’ve ever had to make,” said Jez Webb. “I’ve had to make my people redundant and sack people at work but that’s for reasons when they’ve been stupid or disrespectful, everything that Dave Webb isn’t.

“He was shocked but he was a tower of a man and took it on the chin. His reaction was exemplary. He is a great man, no question.

“That was a very unpleasant couple of hours for me.

“One thing that he did do was build my love and interest for football even more than it was because of the way he conducted himself and his passion.

“It’s easy to forget what a great player he was too.

“He lighted my passion for the game in non-league and I will never forget that.

“Hopefully I and the club have made the right decision but only time will tell.

“I do think it is the right decision at the right time.

“It was a shock for him but there were people that wanted a change that were growing in voice.

“I didn’t want to be one of those chairman whose opinion was the one and only, hence why I did what I did.”

The Supermarine chairman confirmed that two points from an available 12 in the club’s last four matches was simply not good enough.

“There were a set of results there where we only got two points from 12 against sides lower than us and that just added pressure on Dave’s job really.

“Discussions really started behind the scenes on Monday. There were a considerable amount of people that wanted a change, not because of that one result, but because we’ve got two points from 12.

“People were saying if we don’t see a new manager then we won’t come any more, which added pressure onto me and added pressure onto Webby’s job.

“I have to say that in the five and a half years, even the people who wanted a new manager, not one person ever, not ever, said anything bad about Dave.

“It’s all about results, points, tables and form. Nobody has a personal gripe with Dave. People just thought it was time for a change.”

Jez Webb hinted that the decision to relieve Dave Webb of his position was a reluctant one on his part and that no new manager is waiting in the wings.

In the meantime, Lee Spalding will take charge of Supermarine for the foreseeable future beginning with Tuesday night’s trip to Evesham.

Jez Webb added: “My opinion is the least important it’s the people that work hard to pay to come and watch the games, the people that come in to work hours and hours as volunteers and the sponsors who give their trust – I am at the bottom of the pile, you have to put those people first.

“I have absolutely no idea who will be the next manager and I’m quite proud of that because it’s not like we have made this decision because we had someone lined up.

“We need to take time to make a new appointment and whether it takes two weeks or two days it doesn’t matter so long as we get the right man.”

Source Your Sport Swindon