Swifts begin manager search

Heybridge Swifts last night announced the departure of manager Karl Duguid.

Karl, who prior to his managerial career made more than four hundred appearances for Colchester United, has left his role for personal reasons- and although that is a line often tolled out after a managerial departure, on this occasion it appears to be entirely accurate. Swifts Chairman Gary White, in a statement on the club website which you can read here, explained:

"Having the chance to spend a good deal more time with his wife and young family, it has made him realise what he has so often missed after being so committed to football over the past 27 years since joining Colchester United as an apprentice.

I fully understand Karl’s decision and – although we would prefer not to have to find a replacement – I fully understands the reasons for his decision.

Being a manager at non league is a big time and emotional commitment and hard to do if you have a young family. I know of that level of commitment as chairman, which is less in terms of hours, but certainly not something I could have done long term when my children were the ages Karl’s are now."

Karl joined the club in June 2018 and worked closely with former manager Julian Dicks, before taking the hotseat on his own when Dicks left the club to work with Slaven Bilic at West Bromwich Albion. His side were in fourth place when the season was brought to a premature end.