Whitby Town Football Club Manager Resigns

Chris Hardy has resigned from his position as Whitby Town manager.

Hardy took over after Darren Williams left the club in December 2015 and proceeded to stabilise the club in the Northern Premier League, ending the 2015/16 season in 19th spot.

The club says the following season saw Hardy guide the club to a sixth place finish, narrowly missing out on the play-offs, while also leading the side to North Riding Senior Cup success after a 3-1 win over Pickering Town at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.

The club added that Town finished 21st the following season, but improved with an 11th place finish in the 2018/19 campaign before the coronavirus pandemic prematurely ended Hardy's hopes of his side reaching the play-offs with the side well-placed in seventh spot with games in hand on the sides above them. The team also came close to the first round proper of the Emirates FA Cup, falling at the final hurdle against Stourbridge.

The Blues won their 2020/21 season opener 2-0 at Witton Albion last Saturday before a disappointing exit from the FA Cup on penalties against Warrington Rylands last Tuesday.

Town then battled back to draw 2-2 at big spending Buxton on Saturday before Hardy's side suffered a 5-1 humbling at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday night in what proved to be his final game in charge of the club.

Chris Hardy said:

"There are many reasons as to why I’ve arrived at this decision and after giving this some long and hard thought I’m 100% confident that this is the correct decision for myself and Whitby Town Football Club.

"It's not something I decided on the back of Tuesday night's defeat, I have given it some good time to think about it and now feels the right time to leave."

Hardy is leaving the club on good terms having spoken to Chairman Ivor Homer yesterday. Homer stated ‘Chris has done a great job for the club and to be honest we are sad to see him leave but the decision is his and we have to respect that’.

He has stabilised the club in his time at the Turnbull Ground, and hopes that fans will appreciate his hard work.

"I've thoroughly enjoyed my time as manager of the football club. There have been plenty of ups and downs and I will look back on my tenure fondly.

"I'd like to think it will be classed as a successful period in the club's history. We won some silverware, kept the club in the division after taking over and came close to the play-offs on a couple of occasions."

Hardy was also quick to thank the club's many volunteers and members of staff, in particular his long-term right-hand man Lee Bullock and the Blues supporters for their backing over the past six years.

He added: "Throughout my time at the football club Bully has walked every step with me and I thank him for that.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has assisted and helped me throughout my time, there are too many names to mention but they know who they are.

"The fans have been brilliant in my time with the club. They've cheered the team on through thick and thin and always got behind myself and the players, so I thank them for the support, which I am sure will continue for the next manager of the football club.

"Whitby Town will always hold a special place in my heart and I wish the club every success in the future."

Lee Bullock and Nathan Haslam took training on Thursday night and will take charge of the Blues at Warrington Town on Saturday afternoon.

Whitby Town FC said:

"Everyone at Whitby Town would like to thank Chris for his efforts since his arrival in 2015, and we wish him all the best for the future. An updated statement will be provided by the club later today following a board meeting this evening."