First team manager Chris Humphrey has been sacked by Penrith AFC.
Humphrey, a former professional and Jamaican international who played for Preston North End and Motherwell, took over the reins at Frenchfield Park in October after predecessor Dave Hewson stepped down.
He had been assisted by Shaun Gardner — who has played for Penrith in different spells dating back several years — and others within a management team.
Humphrey, 34, was tasked with steering struggling Penrith away from the Northern League Division I relegation zone.
But despite a number of encouraging results in recent weeks — most notably a home win against then leaders Consett — the Blues finished their season with two defeats. That included a 4-1 reverse at home to Seaham Red Star on Saturday, and they also had the worst goal difference in the division.
It meant Penrith finished the campaign second-from-bottom on goal difference, and inside the drop zone. No formal decision has been made by the Football Association about relegation because of proposed non-league pyramid restructuring and other factors, and it is possible the Blues may yet be granted a reprieve and remain in Division I for 2022-23.
But club chairman Billy Williams said he had informed Humphrey last night he was being dismissed.
Williams, whose long association with the club began as a player in 1967, said: “The club wishes to thank Chris and his management team for their efforts this season. Fair play to him, he certainly did his best.
“When Chris came in the only thing we asked him was to avoid relegation. It’s been a difficult time. We’ve backed him up the best we possibly could, financially, as well as with other things.
“It’s not an easy thing to show somebody the door and it’s the first time I’ve had to do it. Somebody has to stand up, though.
“All decisions are made at the time with the best interests of the club in mind, as it was when we took Chris on, but it hasn’t worked out, unfortunately. It’s a results-based game, and I won’t be the first chairman to have had to say that, but that is fact. We’ve had a record number of goals scored against us this season.
“We’re going to have to regroup. It’s early days now. The job will be advertised and we’ll see what response we can get from there.”
Anybody wishing to make an application for the vacant first team manager’s role should email the club, secretary.penrithafc@gmail.com
