BRENDAN Kelly has left Bromsgrove Sporting with immediate effect following a meeting between the club’s Board of Directors last evening.
It was mutually agreed that Kelly – along with his assistant manager Ian King – would depart the club after a run of five consecutive defeats in all competitions.
Sporting have slipped to 16th in the Southern League Premier Central table just six points off the bottom after 12 matches.
His final game in charge came in last weekend’s 4-0 home defeat to league leaders Peterborough Sports – with Sporting having conceded 16 goals in their last four matches.
Chairman Mike Burke told the club website: “The Board of Directors would like to thank Brendan for all his hard work and efforts, originally taking charge of the club at a critical time and achieving the promotions to get the club where it is today – a task made even harder due to the disruption of COVID.
“We sincerely wish Brendan and Ian all the best for the future.”
Kelly oversaw two promotions during his tenure at the Victoria Ground winning the Midland Football League Premier Division in 2017/18 having made the step up from assistant manager.
He then guided Sporting to promotion out of the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central the following season via a dramatic 4-3 win against Corby Town in the play-off final.
The former Bromsgrove boss expressed his thanks to everyone involved with the club during his six-year association with the Rouslers.
Kelly posted on Twitter: “Devastated that my journey at Sporting has come to an end. I have been a player, assistant manager and manager during my six years at the club and loved every minute of it.
“I wish I was given more time but I totally understand it’s a results business and ours haven’t been good enough.
“Massive thanks to my current and former staff – Kingy, Leigh, Faye, Jon, Andy, Ross and Kev – and I also want to thank players past and present. Thank you to Matt Foden and the Cumming brothers for sponsoring me.
“Thank you to the club for giving me my first management job and finally, thanks to the supporters, volunteers and every single person who followed us home and away in all sorts of weather all over the Midlands and beyond.
“I wish the club every success for the future and thank you to everyone that has taken the time to send me messages of support since the news broke.”
Earlier this month, Kelly took the Rouslers into the FA Cup fourth qualifying round for the first time in the club’s history where they were beaten 5-0 by National League leaders Grimsby Town in front of the BBC cameras.
However, defeats against Lowestoft Town and Banbury United – prior to the Grismby clash – was followed by a 4-1 defeat at Rushall Olympic before being beaten heavily by Peterborough last weekend.
The club announced their new interim management team on Wednesday night with Director of Football Graham Scott to be assisted by former Stourbridge coach Gavin Hurren.
Sporting are next in action at home to Ilkeston Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday, October 30 with kick-off at the Victoria Ground at 3pm.
