Andy Sinton steps down as AFC Telford boss
AFC Telford United manager Andy Sinton today left the club by mutual consent after two-and-a-half seasons in charge at the New Bucks Head.
Assistant boss Graham Hyde will take training tonight with the club looking to appoint a new boss before Saturday's Conference visit of Cambridge.
Telford chairman Lee Carter believes the decision was in the "best long-term interests of the club."
Sinton, 46, who played 71 games for Wolves, oversaw a winless run of 16 league games and leaves the Bucks two points adrift of safety.
Carter said: "We started the season really well and Andy guided the club to its highest-ever league position before the dip in form.
"It was important that we supported him as much as possible before making this decision.
"The trust and club boards are both made up of supporters and the recent run of form has been just as painful to go through for them as anyone else.
"But, with the current financial climate, it was important to make a balanced judgement that would be in the best long-term interests of the club."
"Reflecting on Andy's time with us, he not only secured promotion back to the top flight of non-league football and retained that status the following year.
"But he also believed in the club's values and very successfully engaged with the community off the field. He can be extremely proud of what he's achieved in his time here."
Sinton said: "It has been a privilege to manage AFC Telford over the past three seasons. I want to place on record my thanks to all those people who have helped me during my time at the club
"I am very proud of my record at the club in overseeing promotion to the Blue Square Premier and then retaining that status the following year.
"I still believe and hope that the team will again retain their status in the League this season."
Carter has now urged the club's supporters to get behind the club in their battle to avoid the drop.
He said: "Now we have to look forward. The club is still ambitious and we will be looking to ensure that we turn things around in the 16 games left and retain our status in the Blue Square Premier.
"Make no mistake, this is a very tough league to play in and there's a large financial disparity between the clubs, but we will do our utmost to ensure we retain our Premier status."
"We realise that the transfer window closes today, but we believe that our current players are more than good enough to compete at this level and we know that they want to do well.
"Now, more than ever, we need the supporters to get behind the team and show them just how passionate we all are about this club and what it means to us."
