BROMLEY chairman Jerry Dolke has paid tribute to Mark Goldberg, who resigned as manager last week.

Goldberg, 44, arrived at Hayes Lane in the summer of 2006 in somewhat controversial circumstances after the management team of George Wakeling and Billy Smith had taken the club to Ryman Premier safety.

But the former Crystal Palace chairman belied his apparent lack of managerial experience to guide the Lillywhites into Blue Square South, where they have subsequently consolidated so impressively that a play-off spot is a distinct possibility.

“When I appointed Mark,” Mr Dolke said, “people were questioning my sanity. But in 18 months, look at the situation we are in. What he has achieved is nothing short of phenomenal – to take a mid-table Ryman League club into the top end of Blue Square South, while playing some of the best football I’ve seen.

“Mark has been the most successful manager this club has ever had, certainly in my time here, and has stuck a glorious two fingers up at the people who doubted him.”

Goldberg cited increased commitments as reasons for his departure, explaining he felt he was letting the club down.

His resignation after the Setanta Shield defeat against Welling shocked many people at the club, but not Mr Dolke.

He said: “Mark is someone who, if he can’t give 110 per cent to something, then he can’t do it.

“He’s my best friend and brother-in-law, I see him on a day-to-day basis in both business and football, and I know the pressures he has been under recently.

“It’s not just his business. He’s trying to help launch daughter Lauren’s album, and he was finding himself one day in Manchester, then Nottingham, then Poole.

“It’s all happening at the same time and something had to give.”