Statement from Terry Chapman - Chairman, Knaphill FC

[The KnapMeister]

Knaphill FC have just released this statement regarding 1st Team manager Bob Pritchard.

 

'Yesterday with much regret I accepted the resignation of our First Team Manager Bob Pritchard with immediate effect. Bob feels that perhaps this was one season too many for him and is perhaps not able to commit fully to the job and also unable to attract the players that he needs to fulfil his ambitions.'

 

'We will miss Bob but he will always be held in high esteem at this club.'

 

'Bob joined Knaphill back in the summer of 2005 as coach where he played a major role in the club's back to back Surrey Intermediate Division One and Premier Championship successes which led the club to promotion to the Combined Counties League. Bob took over as First Team Manager at the start of the 2007 season where he guided the club to a creditable seventh place finish in it's first season in the Combined Counties League.'

 

'The following season he led the club to a fifth place finish and only last season saw the club finish third which saw Knaphill have their most successful season in senior football under his guidance and establish Knaphill Football Club as one of the best in the local area. Without Bob Knaphill will not have achieved it's rise from lower league obsecurity to the Combined Counties League.'

 

'With Bob's resignation I feel it is important to make a fresh start so Simon Bates who was Bob's number two will also be leaving.'

 

'I have decided to bring in David Freeman and Adie Wilson as caretaker managers until the end of the season.'

 

'They are given the job because of their local knowledge and ability to bring in new faces and to get the best out of our present players.

They have a tough job but if they want the job permanently they have time to perform.'

 

 

On a personal note I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Bob as he was the catalyst in bring me to Knaphill FC firstly as the main sponsor and then Chairman. We didn't always see eye-to-eye, but he taught me alot about the game and how to handle myself in the tough world of non-league football. I have a huge amount of respect for his knowledge and expertise that have pushed Knaphill FC to the CCL in the five year plan he set out for the club. Bob will always be welcome at Redding Way and I wish him all the best along with his lovely wife and three footballing sons.

 

 

 

[Non League Nigel]

He's done well for Knaphill up until this year but dont think too many people will be sorry for one of the most arrogant CCL managers ever !

[NICE GUY]

NOW I DON'T KNOW BOB OR BEEN TO KNAPHILL, BUT IT'S ALWAYS SAD TO SEE ANY MANAGER GO, BUT LOOKING AT KNAPHILL'S RESULTS RECENTLY, I THINK IT WAS ON THE CARDS UNFORTUNATELY, AS IT BECOMES A RESULTS THING THE HIGHER YOU GO UP I SUPPOSE WHEN THERE IS MORE PRESSURE.

 

WE NEED TO NOTE THAT LOOKING AT BOB'S RECORD, HE HAS DONE VERY WELL FOR KNAPHILL IN THE PAST AND APPEAR TO HAVE GOT THEM WHERE THEY ARE, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED. IT MIGHT JUST NEEDED A CHANGE FOR BOTH PARTIES CONCERNED.

 

I HOPE BOB GETS ANOTHER JOB SOON, AND WISH BOTH HIM AND KNAPHILL ALL THE BEST FOR THE FUTURE.

[Weeble]

Good luck to Bob and to Knaphill.......

[milesy4]

Worked with Bob very closely for 2 seasons and it is sad to see him go and I'm sure the players at Knaphill will feel the same. Good luck to Dave and Adie.

[SurreysFinest]

Sad to see Bob go, only saw Knaphill a handful of times in last few years but couldn't see what all the fuss was about regarding him. Seemed no different to most other managers at this level, jealousy from others maybe as bar this season he has been successful.

What next for Knaphill then? Would imagine there would be some decent applicants especially now the ground improvements are on the way. Heard the old Camberley coach had been doing some work there? Any interest from PB? Would Savage go back as boss? Even managers at Farnham etc who don't have facilities to move up would be interested. Be interesting to see what happens there between now and end of season.

All the best to Bob am sure he will be back involved somewhere soon, and yet again be a success.

[Terrence Collina]

can't see PB wanting to do it. Anyway, the statement says that the caretakers will have it til the end of the season so unless Harry Redknapp applies for it, I doubt that would change.

[Non League Nigel]

Must add Good luck Trentender ( apart from the game next month )

 

He's done well for Knaphill up until this year but dont think too many people will be sorry for one of the most arrogant CCL managers ever !

[duncs]

Every manager who leaves a club for whatever reason will have his/her wellwishers and dislikers,i'm sure the people who slate Bob on here have all told him to his face what they think of him so as that he can reply to their criticism,I dont know Bob personaly but I am sure if he wants a job in non league football locally,because of what he has achieved at Knaphill, quite a few clubs wil want his skills in whatever capacity he can offer,it really doesn't matter if he has upset a few players/supporters along the way its about where he has brought you to that is important,somebody once said football fans are the most fickle of any sport, is that true I wonder?.

[NICE GUY]

Every manager who leaves a club for whatever reason will have his/her wellwishers and dislikers,i'm sure the people who slate Bob on here have all told him to his face what they think of him so as that he can reply to their criticism,I dont know Bob personaly but I am sure if he wants a job in non league football locally,because of what he has achieved at Knaphill, quite a few clubs wil want his skills in whatever capacity he can offer,it really doesn't matter if he has upset a few players/supporters along the way its about where he has brought you to that is important,somebody once said football fans are the most fickle of any sport, is that true I wonder?.

 

YES !

 

AS A GOOD EXAMPLE, I RECALL MOLESEY SUPPORTERS LAST SEASON WANTING THEIR MANAGER OUT BECAUSE OF THEIR POOR START AND DID A POLL TO ALL AND SUNDRY AS OPPOSED TO KEEPING THE POLL IN HOUSE................NOW HE'S BETTER THAN SLICED BREAD !

 

THAT'S HOW FICKLE SUPPORTERS CAN BE, BUT THEY PAY THEIR ENTRANCE FEE SO CAN VOICE THEIR OPINION I SUPPOSE. . I WONDER IF THOSE SUPPORTERS HAVE APOLOGISED TO HIM SINCE ?.

 

CREDIT MUST GO TO MOLESEY FC WHO UNDER PRESSURE COULD HAVE MADE THE EASY OPTION TO SACK HIM BUT AS THIS SEASON SHOWS AT THE MOMENT, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK TO KEEP CHANGING MANAGERS !