ANGRY Christchurch chairperson Fiona Clements has branded as an "excuse" ex-boss Adie Arnold's claim that his sacking was partly down to disciplining long-serving midfielder Mark Smith.

Priory ended Arnold's turbulent 16-month tenure following Saturday's 3-1 Sydenhams Wessex One defeat at home to Amesbury on the back of one win in seven matches in all competitions since the start of the season.

Interviewed by the Daily Echo after his exit, Arnold claimed Smith had refused to come off the bench in a Hampshire Senior Cup tie at Blackfield & Langley and that his decision to omit Smith from his squad "was probably the final nail in my coffin".

However, former vice-chair Clements, who returned to take the helm in April, vehemently refuted Arnold's assertion, insisting that results and a lack of player availability had caused the committee to act.

Clements told the Daily Echo: "I am very disappointed in Adie's excuse for being released.

"When we discussed his exit he was not on his own. He had his coaching staff with him and it was made very clear why he was being relieved of his duties.

"He brought up Mark Smith on two or three occasions and as I said at the time, it had nothing to do with that.

"I had not liaised with Adie over Mark's position other than to ask him to communicate after Mark had sent a text apologising to Adie.

"It was down to results and the fact we did not see the same team line up from one week to the next. We did not have the same players there every week and I found that a very big concern. There were a lot of other little things that built up to bigger problems.

"I want to make it absolutely clear that Adie losing his job was nothing to do with Mark Smith. There were a lot of different issues there that I have seen that other people had spotted last season.

"In fairness to the committee, they trusted in me to address it quickly. I had a lot of feedback and something was just not right, things had to change, we could not leave it any longer."

Clements confirmed Smith remains a registered player with Christchurch but that his future is in his own hands with the player free to discuss terms with Hamworthy United, Bournemouth Poppies and Bemerton having received seven-day approaches from the Premier Division trio last week.

Under-18s manager Andy Cherrett, who is no relation to Merley boss Ollie, takes temporary charge while the club begins the process of recruiting a new manager.

"A handful" of people have expressed an interest in the position with Christchurch still welcoming applications through Clements, who can be contacted on 07968535906 or via email: chairman@christchurchfc.co.uk.

  • Kane Daysh once again took centre stage as he was sent off in Hamworthy United's 3-1 FA Cup defeat at Bideford.

The ineligfble Daysh featured in the Hammers' clash with Andover Town in the preliminary round, so the tie had to be replayed.

Daysh was dismissed in the 33rd minute against Bideford when he appeared to catch Dan Harrison in the face with a swinging arm.

Ben Wood put Bideford in front before the break and after Matt Kemble levelled in the 76th minute, a Billy Tucker double saw the hosts through.