‘Good’ Management Decision from Blair

 

Hollands & Blair will have a new manager in charge this weekend.

Chairman and interim manager Paul Piggott announced that the club had expedited the selection process, appointing Clint Gooding as the new manager.

Gooding replaces Luke Jessup, who parted ways with the club following a disappointing start to the season. Piggott had initially stepped in as caretaker manager without setting a deadline for finding a permanent replacement, but last weekend’s 5-2 defeat to Bearsted signaled the urgent need for a new manager.

Gooding is no stranger to the club, having previously served as assistant manager at both Blair and Chatham Town under Piggott. He also managed Hollands & Blair briefly in December 2017, successfully guiding the team to safety after taking over when they were at the bottom of the league. Since then, he has coached at Maidstone and Sittingbourne.

Gooding will take charge immediately, with his first test being Saturday’s match against Holmesdale in the Kent Senior Trophy—a crucial cup tie for Blair. Last weekend, the team had to rely on reserves and under-23 players, with new signing Eri Akintimehin making his debut and contributing to both of their goals in a loss at Bearsted.

Charlie Weston scored after Blair fell three goals behind, while Harvey Welford netted a stoppage-time consolation.

The loss left Blair fourth from the bottom of the SCEFL Premier Division after 11 games.

 

---