LIAM DAISH has left his role as manager of Conference club Ebbsfleet United.
Daish took over as boss of the Fleet in 2005 when they still went by the name Gravesend & Northfleet.
They became Ebbsfleet in 2007 and the following year Daish led the club to FA Trophy glory with a 1-0 win over Torquay United.
Eleventh and 14th-place finishes in the Conference Premier followed but the club were relegated in 2009/10 after finishing 22nd.
Daish led them straight back to Step 1 at the first attempt, a play-off final victory over Farnborough securing their passage back to Non-League‘s top tier.
They consolidated their place there in 2011/12, finishing 14th, but a second relegation last term mean the Fleet will compete in the Conference South in 2013/14.
They will do so under new ownership following a takeover at Stonebridge Road and it was after discussions with the new owners, Kuwati company KEH Sports, that the decision was reached for Daish to leave.
In a statement on the club’s website, Fleet CEO Jessica McQueen said: “The new owners of the club and Liam sat down today and had a frank and amicable discussion about the problems that currently face the club as well as the future plans for it when KEH Sports Ltd assumes control of the club at the end of May.
“In the light of those discussions both parties agreed that this is the right time for the club to effect a change in the first-team management arrangements. Liam has been at the club for some eight years and created his place in Ebbsfleet’s history when the club won the FA Trophy for the first time ever.
“Liam has left on very good terms and the prospective new owners have made it clear he will be welcome back at any time in the future. Liam has even offered to pass on any appropriate knowledge to the new management team which says everything about the man.”
Daish himself commented: “I have enjoyed eight wonderful years at Ebbsfleet United and have brought the club some of the most successful times in its history. Obviously last season’s relegation was a major disappointment but the financial problems off the pitch did not help and I am pleased that the club will now have owners that will stabilise the financial position of the club and hopefully take it forward.
“I must thank all the players who played for me at my time at the club as well as all the backroom and office staff. Above all I must thank the supporters who have always backed me 100 per cent and I hope this is the start of better times ahead for the club. I will certainly be looking out for their results with a keen interest.”E
