Bees part company with manager number three

It's little more than two months since we announced the arrival of Neil Blackburn at Basildon United, but last night the club announced his departure.

Blackburn arrived at the club from Laindon Orient on 16th December with the Bees in freefall. They had a magnificent start to the season under Marc Harrison, but it all went wrong when the promotion-winning manager departed, and a duo of Lee Connor and Michael Walther couldn't halt the slide. Blackburn has been in charge for twelve matches, winning two, drawing one and losing all the rest, and after yesterday's 4-0 defeat at home to AFC Sudbury the club and manager decided to part company.

Writing on social media, Blackburn stated:

'I would like to thank everyone at Basildon United but we have decided to part company with the club this evening, I must stress this was by mutual consent. The fans have been great and I wish you all the very best, you're a great bunch. I wish Basildon all the best for the future.'

The Bees are fourteenth in the North Division, twelve points above the drop zone with nine matches remaining.