No more Tuffs at the top

Leatherhead manager Luke Tuffs last night announced his resignation via social media. He then released a lengthy Twitter statement explaining his reasons, which you can read here.

Luke, who has been in charge of the Tanners since moving from Ashford Town in January, came close to keeping the Tanners up last season after taking over when their plight looked hopeless. This season, their first in Pitching In Isthmian South Central, has been less positive, with only one league win so far.

Luke stated:

'So yesterday I resigned as first team manager of Leathehead FC.

Such a hard decision, but one I feel is the right fit for everyone. I'm proud of my short time at the club, and as the sixth manager in under a year, I feel I have done my best to steady the ship for the future.'

He went on:

'Unfortunately we didn't even know what step, let alone league, we would be in until 12th June, obviously setting our recruitment back tow months. After a disappointing start, we've finally rebuilt the squad to one which can reach the playoffs, gone three games unbeaten and getting stronger and stronger. I believe the current group will turn these draws into wins and it will only take a couple of them to put the club in and around the play off's. It's such early days.I've done this significantly under budget and always with the best interests of the club at heart.

Ultimately though, there are too many differences between myself and the chairman (and with his other roles including director of football). I just think now is the right time for someone to come in and build on the foundation that is now there, who aligns more to his views of how a club should be run and brings the success the fans deserve. This has been a tremendously difficult decision and is not knee jerk, it's one I've thought about week in week out from well before the season even started.'

The club statement, late last night, said simply:

'This evening Luke Tuffs resigned his position as manager of Leatherhead Football Club. All involved with the club wish him every success for the future and we would like to put on record our thanks for his hard work and commitment during his time with us.

The board will start the search for a new manager and will make a further statement in due course.'

Image- we believe- from Justine Burch.

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