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Sacked Herne Bay boss Steve Lovell has spoken for the first time since his departure on Monday.
The ex-Gillingham manager leaves with the club languishing just above the Isthmian South East relegation zone in 17th after a run of seven defeats from nine matches in all competitions.
But Herne Bay have been badly hit by injuries and goalkeeper issues that had only just started to subside in time for last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Lancing, which had left player-coach Liam Friend (hamstring) as their sole absentee.
And Welshman Lovell is confident the new man at the helm should be able to help them climb the table.
“At the start of the season, we did really well,” said Lovell, whose team were edged out of the FA Cup 1-0 by Maidstone in the third qualifying round and reached the same stage of the FA Trophy.
“We had good cup runs - in both the FA Cup and the Trophy. Then, we fell behind on league games and we had a lot of games to catch-up on.
“It’s just that we got injuries and our squad was depleted during that period. That had a big impact.
“But I still believe, as a group, they’re capable of having a strong finish to the season and finishing in a good position. I think they will be fine.
“It’s a good squad for someone to work with. It’s just that me and Mark [Lovell, his son and assistant] won’t be there.
“But whoever takes over, they have got a good group of players.”
Lovell penned a two-year deal at Winch’s Field in 2023 and led the team to an eighth-placed finish last term.
Herne Bay struggled to replicate that form this time around, though, despite a bright start to the season and Lovell’s fate was sealed courtesy of a phone call from chairman Matt Barman.
Lovell, who has used five goalkeepers this term, said: “Clubs have got to do what they have got to do, I’ve been in football long enough to know that.
“I got sacked when I was at Ramsgate when we were top of the league - and this is nothing compared to that! But it’s still a shock.
“I’m disappointed because I really believe the squad is good enough to stay in the league this year and then build on that next year. But they (Bay’s board) have made their decision and I respect what they have done.
“They’re a great bunch of lads. I have said all season that they’re such a good group of lads in the dressing room.
“It’s a shame we have not maintained our form in terms of where we were at the start of the season. There have been injuries, suspensions and our luck with goalkeepers.
“But the board need to look after the club and I’ve got to respect that, and that’s what I’ve done.”
While Lovell conceded Bay’s performance at Lancing had been disappointing, he saw enough in their narrow 2-1 New Year’s Day home defeat against promotion-chasing Margate to feel brighter times were ahead, as players began to return to fitness.
He said: “Ultimately, we knew this year was going to be a year of steadying the club.
“Perhaps, we could get the foundations in place for next year. We’re still seven points away from the relegation zone and have got 18 games to go this season.
“I’d said to you before that Saturday was the first time we’d had a full squad - apart from Friendy - to pick from. We didn’t play particularly well on Saturday but, in the game before against Margate, we’d played well.
“Even at Lancing, we had chances to get something out of the game. I wish them all the best and I’ll still be looking out for their results.
“There’s still a lot of people I have respect for at the club and I’m sure they’ll be fine.”
Lovell also praised the Herne Bay faithful - some of whom made the 200-mile trip to Lancing in vain on a cold afternoon.
“They have been brilliant,” he noted. “Even on Saturday, there were loads of them there, shouting and really supporting us.
“The club has been through quite a bad period recently. But they have got very knowledgeable supporters, which is great.
“Even after Saturday’s game, a lot of them were shaking my hand and saying ‘We will be fine.’. It’s the same with the people behind-the-scenes at the club.
“When I spoke to the chairman on Monday night, I wished them all the best because I know there’s a lot of good people there.
“But managers leave clubs and a new chapter begins. Hopefully, that’ll be the case.”
His spell at Herne Bay was only Lovell’s second with son-assistant Mark.
Lovell said: “The time we had at Ramsgate, and at Herne Bay, that’s been brilliant. We talk on a daily basis about things.
“We always try to work things out - but you’re not going to stay at a club forever. I still want to be working in football so, at some point, I’ll be back because football is my life.
“I’ve still got a lot to offer so me and Mark will look to be involved in football. One door closes and another opens.
“Hopefully, we’ll be back involved again before too long.”
In the meantime, Lovell will still head to matches as he takes a watching brief from the stands, rather than in the dugout.
He said: “I don’t like to take too much time off. On Saturdays, I don’t know what to do with myself! But I’ll still go and watch football, even if I’m not involved.
“I watch games at all levels and still watch Gillingham at times so I’ll always be out somewhere.”
Herne Bay, whose next game will be a home fixture against play-off chasing Merstham on Saturday, are yet to confirm who will take charge of the side.