Patterson parts company with Braintree

Stuart Watson

By Stuart Watson

BRAINTREE Town have confirmed that manager Lee Patterson has stepped down from his position following Tuesday night's humiliating FA Trophy defeat at Farnborough.

Patterson came in as George Borg's permanent successor at Cressing Road last October and helped transform the club's fortunes, bringing them up from the lower reaches of the Blue Square South to ultimately lose in the play-off semi-finals.

However, the Essex side have endured a miserable start to the current campaign. Placed 15th in the table, the Iron were despatched from the FA Trophy on Tuesday night courtesy of a 6-2 defeat at Southern League side Farnborough.

The loss signalled the second time Braintree have been comprehensively dumped out of knock-out competitions by lower league opposition this campaign following their 4-0 loss at Ryman League Division One South side Kingstonian in the FA Cup.

Captain Bradley Quinton has now taken over as caretaker player-manager, a role he fulfilled with great success before Patterson was appointed last year.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding said: ““It's been something we have been considering about for a few weeks now, but another cup defeat maybe focussed our minds a bit.

“You are never going to win the FA Cup or Trophy, but they are competitions that generate a bit of cash and we have been soundly beaten in both by teams at a lower level in both.

“This is sad day really because Lee has given us 110% since day one and has really lived, slept and breathed the club. Nobody around the board room table could criticize his commitment or drive so it is a real shame that things haven't worked out.

“But we are all in the results business and so we have decided that making a change is the best way to re-ignite our season.”

Braintree host fifth placed St Albans City tomorrow and travel to 16th placed Havant & Waterlooville on Monday night.