Funnell: I don't know why it didn't work at Mussels

Funnell, who took over from Kane Louis in October, gave his resignation to Mussels chairman Stuart Slaney on Friday, before he took charge for the final time the following day when Shoreham lost 2-1 at high-flying Loxwood in Southern Combination League Premier Division.

In Funnell’s opening game in charge, Mussels won 8-0 in the Sussex RUR Cup at Sidlesham, before they picked up ten points from his first five league matches.

However, they then collected just 11 points from the next 18 games and although Funnell admits results were not good enough, he said that was not the only reason for his departure: “One of the main reasons was the results were not good enough but there was more to it than just that and I don’t want to go into all the reasons.

“It’s disappointing, really, as it was my home town club and I hoped that I would have brought more to the club than I have. It was the right time to go with stuff that’s going on at the club. I offered my resignation on Friday to make it easier for everyone but I don’t walk away from anything lightly. However, it wasn’t working for any of us.

“I took the game on Saturday and then we parted company. My team under-achieved while I was there and that’s part of the reason why I’ve left. I don’t know why it hasn’t worked. They just under performed at Shoreham, I know they can do more and they know they can do more but sometimes things just don’t work out how you think they would.

“You don’t fit at one club and another one you do. I’ve gone now so the chairman can get someone in and start to plan for next season.

“I left on good terms with the chairman, I wish the club all the best and there’s no hard feelings.”

Funnell will be looking to return to management quickly and said: “I don’t want to be out for too long, which made this decision even more difficult.

“I’ve probably got the next six weeks watching games and then I’ll see if anything comes up in the summer. However, it’s coming up to silly season for managers and if something comes up now and it’s something I’d want to do, I’ll look at it.”

Funnell felt a young and inexperienced Mussels side could have got something out of the defeat to Loxwood on Saturday. Goals from Cecil Jee and Michael Wood gave Loxwood a 2-0 lead at half-time, before Harry Heath was on target for Mussels five minutes after half-time.

He said: “We should have got something out of it and were unlucky to lose.

“I know some players have already left the club but I hope some stay and help out for the rest of the season.

“I wish Shoreham all the best and hope they have a good season next year.”

Mussels chairman Stuart Slaney said: “We brought Simon on board in October as he was an experienced manager and had previous success with getting a team out of the County League and into the Ryman. This was the obvious route to take for moving the club forward.

“Unfortunately, after five months in charge and constant investment into the team, the club’s record was one of the worst since I had been at the club.

“We also lost some very talented local players along the way in favour of ex-Ryman players from further afield and, on paper, this should have been a very successful season for the Musselmen but, for whatever reason, it just did not take off.

“Discussions with myself and Simon were on-going regarding the future of the team since the bad loss away to Worthing United and after the awful performance and result away to East Preston, both parties agreed it was time for a fresh start.

“Myself and the club would like to thank Simon and his assistant Matt Drew for all the time and effort they had put in over the five months and we wish them all the best for the future.”

Matt Brace, Mark Hilfiker and Paul Dunk will take caretaker charge until the end of the season, with interviews already lined up for the potential new manager’s role for next season.

SHOREHAM: Hutchins; Magwidi, O’Connor, Pelling, Panayi, Dunk, Johnston, Belli, Munday, Fleming, Heath.

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