BetVictor Isthmian League Division One side Bracknell Town have parted company with manager Sam Lock after five months.
Formerly assistant manager at Maidenhead United with a reputation for developing young players at the Magpies different age groups, Lock departed York Road in the summer and was installed at Larges Lane in May, taking over from Geoff Warner.
Lock’s appointment marked a major overhaul of Bracknell’s off field managerial structure with Aaron Steadman joining as first team coach from Ascot United and Ross Weatherstone from Binfield as Reserve Team manager.
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Bracknell missed out on promotion to step 3 last season, losing in the play off final to Cheshunt. This season under Lock, Bracknell sit ninth after nine games, winning four, drawing two and losing three.
Lock, who had set about reshaping the Robins squad after a summer of key player departures, was in charge for the final time at FA Vase holders Chertsey Town in a game that finished in a 2-1 defeat.
The now former Robins boss had to contend with a lengthy injury list that included forward Lee Barney ruled out for an extended period just minutes in to his debut as well as being without Shane Cooper-Clark for a long spell – the striker made a return during Saturday’s Chertsey fixture.
A statement released by Bracknell Town said that Director of Football Mark Tallentire and First Team Head Coach Aaron Steadman would step in to ‘steady the ship’.
The Bracknell Town FC statement in full:
On Sunday we parted company with Sam Lock as first team Manager.
Why the decision was made.
It has become very clear in recent weeks fans have stopped following us in large numbers.
Home league attendances:
- Game 1 – 352
- Game 2 – 286
- Game 3 – 254
- Game 4 – 243
- Game 5 – 197
We have lost our teams identity, we no longer out run our opposition. We do not out pass our opposition and we no longer shell it in the channel and squeeze for second balls.
We need to urgently re establish the teams identity of play.
Mark Tallentire our Director of Football & Aaron Steadman First Team Head Coach will step in to steady the ship.
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