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Change of Management at Bedford
Change of Management at Bedford
BetVictor Southern League Division One Central club Bedford Town have announced a change in management following Nathan Abbey`s decision to step down from his role as manager.
Wednesday 15 January 20 I 08:52:49 I Photo by

The decision followed extensive talks with the club after the disappointing run of form the Eagles have been on since the end of November.

 

Abbey told club press officer James Smiles on www.bedfordeagles.net: “It is with regret that I have decided to leave the football club. This was an extremely tough decision for me to make, as my love for the club was clear to see.

 

“I've known Jon Taylor for many years, which has seen us build a great friendship. I had brief chat and explained that I would put results before our friendship, and I would treat the job like any other job. If I felt the results were not good enough, I would step down regardless if he wanted me to stay.

 

“During our 12-game unbeaten run between August and November I felt we was still playing in third gear and if we could get up to fourth or fifth gear, we would go onto doing something special. Unfortunately, we dropped down to second gear and individual performances started to suffer, with results turning to losses. I was always concerned, despite many wins, that we were playing poorly and eventually this would catch us out. In the end, it did.

 

“We lost five players over the last eight weeks, which was beyond our control. When you win games, it's difficult for players that have been subs to get a start. Some of these individuals left to go and play regular football elsewhere, which is understandable. Equally, a couple decided to go and play a division higher. I acted as quickly as I possibly could bringing in two quality players on loan from a club two divisions higher. Unfortunately, both have been injured in recent weeks, with one being long term. I then worked hard to bring in Jake Newman, another goalscorer who has had a great start to his time with us. At this point, we were still five players short of getting back on track, and a few deals that were agreed fell through at the last minute for whatever reason. Other targets that would have made us stronger were too expensive for the football club to afford. Within that we picked up more injuries than we could have coped with which really put a dent in our squad.

 

“The last game what was the final straw for me. We basically had twelve fit players for the game, which simply isn't good enough for a club of Bedford’s stature. Not having a sub to turn to, to impact a game, especially when you’re losing is very difficult as a manager to digest.

 

“We were in similar form and league position at this stage of last season. In fact, we are currently one defeat better off this season. From this point last season, we still made the playoffs, so I felt by giving someone the opportunity now a bit of success could still come, hence my decision to leave.

 

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity JT gave me eighteen months ago. He put his trust in what I had delivered him in a successful season last year, in appointing me the manager. We both had a fantastic 16 months collectively and then individually, however the last two months has been a tough one for all concerned. At these points, you have to do the right thing for the football club.”

 

The Eagles have moved swiftly for a replacement by appointing Mark Duckett as Abbey`s successor.

 

Ducket has left his role at Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Eynesbury Rovers to take over at the New Eyrie.

 

He has initially been appointed until the end of the season, but the club are hopeful that both parties will wish to continue the agreement having had a successful end to the season.

 

Duckett has a good playing background, having been at numerous clubs including St Neots Town, Codicote, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hitchin Town, Brackley Town, Corby Town, Barry Town, Aberystwyth Town, Braintree Town and Stevenage Borough.

 

He also played for the Eagles over two spells, before his playing career was cut short at 29, due to injury.

 

Since retiring, Duckett has gone on to successfully manage Eynesbury at Step 5 level. His tenure there has resulted in them securing a top half position over the last few seasons, and strong runs in the Buildbase FA Vase this season and last.

 

Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, Ducket said: "Bedford is a massive club. It's played a part in my playing career, and I'm delighted to be back at the Eyrie. I've worked hard over the past three and a half years for this opportunity, and I'm ready to get going with the project.

 

"The Eagles family are unique in non-League, like a family. Returning to the club is like coming home. It's clear to see that there are some changes that need to be done, but I'm going to steady the ship and steer us to as high a finishing position as possible this term."

 

Director of football and operations Jon Taylor commented: "We've had a lot of interest in the last 24 hours, and out of the candidates that put their name forward, I recognise that Ducks was the man to take us forward. He is a good young manager who knows a lot of players and we're looking forward to seeing a positive reaction on Saturday".

 

Copyright Non League Today. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to the Non League Today website as the source and a link back to the Non League Today website.
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Change of Management at Bedford
Change of Management at Bedford
Wednesday 15 January 20 I 08:52:49
Photo by

The decision followed extensive talks with the club after the disappointing run of form the Eagles have been on since the end of November.

 

Abbey told club press officer James Smiles on www.bedfordeagles.net: “It is with regret that I have decided to leave the football club. This was an extremely tough decision for me to make, as my love for the club was clear to see.

 

“I've known Jon Taylor for many years, which has seen us build a great friendship. I had brief chat and explained that I would put results before our friendship, and I would treat the job like any other job. If I felt the results were not good enough, I would step down regardless if he wanted me to stay.

 

“During our 12-game unbeaten run between August and November I felt we was still playing in third gear and if we could get up to fourth or fifth gear, we would go onto doing something special. Unfortunately, we dropped down to second gear and individual performances started to suffer, with results turning to losses. I was always concerned, despite many wins, that we were playing poorly and eventually this would catch us out. In the end, it did.

 

“We lost five players over the last eight weeks, which was beyond our control. When you win games, it's difficult for players that have been subs to get a start. Some of these individuals left to go and play regular football elsewhere, which is understandable. Equally, a couple decided to go and play a division higher. I acted as quickly as I possibly could bringing in two quality players on loan from a club two divisions higher. Unfortunately, both have been injured in recent weeks, with one being long term. I then worked hard to bring in Jake Newman, another goalscorer who has had a great start to his time with us. At this point, we were still five players short of getting back on track, and a few deals that were agreed fell through at the last minute for whatever reason. Other targets that would have made us stronger were too expensive for the football club to afford. Within that we picked up more injuries than we could have coped with which really put a dent in our squad.

 

“The last game what was the final straw for me. We basically had twelve fit players for the game, which simply isn't good enough for a club of Bedford’s stature. Not having a sub to turn to, to impact a game, especially when you’re losing is very difficult as a manager to digest.

 

“We were in similar form and league position at this stage of last season. In fact, we are currently one defeat better off this season. From this point last season, we still made the playoffs, so I felt by giving someone the opportunity now a bit of success could still come, hence my decision to leave.

 

“I am extremely thankful for the opportunity JT gave me eighteen months ago. He put his trust in what I had delivered him in a successful season last year, in appointing me the manager. We both had a fantastic 16 months collectively and then individually, however the last two months has been a tough one for all concerned. At these points, you have to do the right thing for the football club.”

 

The Eagles have moved swiftly for a replacement by appointing Mark Duckett as Abbey`s successor.

 

Ducket has left his role at Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division side Eynesbury Rovers to take over at the New Eyrie.

 

He has initially been appointed until the end of the season, but the club are hopeful that both parties will wish to continue the agreement having had a successful end to the season.

 

Duckett has a good playing background, having been at numerous clubs including St Neots Town, Codicote, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hitchin Town, Brackley Town, Corby Town, Barry Town, Aberystwyth Town, Braintree Town and Stevenage Borough.

 

He also played for the Eagles over two spells, before his playing career was cut short at 29, due to injury.

 

Since retiring, Duckett has gone on to successfully manage Eynesbury at Step 5 level. His tenure there has resulted in them securing a top half position over the last few seasons, and strong runs in the Buildbase FA Vase this season and last.

 

Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, Ducket said: "Bedford is a massive club. It's played a part in my playing career, and I'm delighted to be back at the Eyrie. I've worked hard over the past three and a half years for this opportunity, and I'm ready to get going with the project.

 

"The Eagles family are unique in non-League, like a family. Returning to the club is like coming home. It's clear to see that there are some changes that need to be done, but I'm going to steady the ship and steer us to as high a finishing position as possible this term."

 

Director of football and operations Jon Taylor commented: "We've had a lot of interest in the last 24 hours, and out of the candidates that put their name forward, I recognise that Ducks was the man to take us forward. He is a good young manager who knows a lot of players and we're looking forward to seeing a positive reaction on Saturday".

 

Copyright Non League Today. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to the Non League Today website as the source and a link back to the Non League Today website.
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