Eastwood manager leaves club one game into new season
Eastwood FC has confirmed that first team manager Willis Francis has left the club.
Eastwood were edged out 4-3 at home by Leicester Nirvana in their opening game of the new United Counties League Premier Division North season at the weekend, Tyler Blake, with two, and Luke Rawson on target for the home side.
Willis was suspended for that game with Billy Bennett was interim charge of the team.
And he was in charge again on Tuesday night as Eastwood got their first point of the season in a 3-3 home draw with AFC Mansfield with goals from Jamie Walker, Theo Flannagan and a Tyler Blake equaliser two minutes from time after Mansfield looked to have stolen it just moments earlier.
In a statement, the club said: “We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Willis for his hard work, commitment and professionalism during his time at the club.
"His dedication to Eastwood FC has been greatly appreciated by everyone involved, and he leaves with our gratitude and respect.
This decision has not been taken lightly.
"Over the last six months, we do not feel the club has made the level of progress on the pitch that we had hoped for or expected.
"As a result, the club believes it is the right time to move in a new direction, while there is still sufficient time remaining to achieve our goals for this season.
“Everyone at Eastwood Football Club would like to thank Willis for his efforts and wish him and his family every success for the future, both on and off the pitch.
“We are now inviting applications for the role of first team manager.
“Applicants should submit a football CV and a covering letter to [email protected]
In the same division, Kimberley Miners Welfare recovered from being a goal down inside two minutes to win 2-1 at Deeping Rangers with goals from Ben Henderson and Curtis Rigley.
But they were brought back down to earth with a thump on Tuesday night as they were thrashed 6-0 at Ashby Ivanhoe.