Shock as boss Bircham set to quit relegation-battling Bedford Town
Bedford Town manager Lee Bircham has announced he will quit the club at the end of the season with two games to go in their battle to stay in National League North.
The Eagles, who reached Step 2 for the first time in 19 years after two successive promotions under Bircham, have two games to go to survive and sit 17th on 51 points, five clear of the drop zone.
The Bircham news has come as a shock, but he said: “This year's been really tough and if I'm honest I've not enjoyed a minute of it.
“It's too tough for a club like us, we're fighting tooth and nail.
“We cannot believe we're on 51 points, we've given ourselves a right chance.
“I don't think people realise the resources and finance involved in that league.
"I've got the best owner I've ever had in John Taylor, he's got a few quid but he's not a multi-millionaire. He can't be funding the club and losing hundreds and thousands every year to do it.”
However, Bircham is confident the side can stay up and hopes his resignation may provide a new spark to his players.
"No-one's ever gone down on 51 points when we've been looking back through the record books,” he said.
“If there's that freak and we go down on 51 points, we'll have to wear it, but it's been fantastic this year and I'm so proud of the football club.
“When I was playing you probably had the same manager for five years, they're all used to these things and it's just the way the modern game is.
“For some of the boys it'll give them a bit of a spur, they'll go 'right, we need to finish the season strongly now - we haven't got that protection of Birchy's still here and he loves me so I'll be alright next year'.”
Even if Town stay up, Bircham said the board will be sensible and not over-reach themselves.
“In National League North you can quite easily get yourselves in all sorts of trouble,” he said.
“Look how many clubs have done it and spiralled down through the leagues - Bedford Town won't do that.
“It might be a bit easier next year because we know what we're doing, what we're getting ourselves in for.
“When I arrived there was no connection with the supporters, the players, staff, the boardroom, there was nothing, it was a horrible place to walk into. You come and see that place now, it is chalk and cheese.
“If I had a few quid, it'd be the club I'd buy tomorrow because it has so much potential.”
A club statement read: The board of Bedford Town would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Lee for guiding the club through an extraordinary period of progression over the last three years.
“It was a goal to return to Step 3 when Lee took over, but the progression on the field has been gigantic under his stewardship.
“The club also fully value the contribution Lee has given off the field, developing a special relationship with the supporters, volunteers, officials and partners of the club.
“It will be of disappointment to many that Lee is departing from the post of manager at the Eyrie.
“However, the board accept Lee’s reasons for his resignation and remain motivated on achieving the goals set at the start of the season, together.
“Attention now turns to our final two Enterprise National League North fixtures.
"Lee’s final game in charge of the Eagles comes against Scarborough on Saturday, 25th April, kicking off at the earlier time of 12.30pm at the Eyrie.
“Lee departs at the start of May with our sincere thanks, appreciation and best wishes for the next role in football and personally.”
On Saturday, Bedford are away at South Shields.
The relegation wildcards are Hereford, who still have two games in hand over the majority of the clubs towards the bottom.
Alfreton and Oxford City also have a single game in hand over Bedford.