Lancing FC saddened as Rouane and Altendorff resign
The duo had taken Lancing clear at the top of the SCFL premier division and they were in line for promotion to the Isthmian League when football was suspended.
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Hide AdRouane had indicated several weeks ago he would walk away if campaign was declared null and void and he has now done just that, with his assistant going too.
Lancing said they were sad to see them leave and grateful for all they had done to improve the team's fortunes. The Lancers are not expected to rush into appointing a replacement with still no firm date on the horizon for football to resume.
A statement from the Culver Road club today said: "It is with great regret that Lancing Football Club announce today that first team manager Naim Rouane and coach David Altendorff have resigned from their roles at the club with immediate effect.
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Hide Ad"Naim and David were part of our three-man management team with Kane Louis."
Referring to the decision of the FA to declare the season null and void, Rouane said "Obviously it’s not how we had all envisaged this ending as we were on route to achieving our goal - taking the football club to a place we wanted to take it – and we wished to continue in our positions to help establish the club as an Isthmian League side.
"Dave and I had many discussions throughout the season and we both felt it would be very difficult to continue if we remained in the Southern Combination League for a number of reasons including our ambition, commitment, energy and enjoyment. We felt it would be very hard for us to replicate what we had achieved again under the same circumstances.
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Hide Ad"We would like to go on record to say how much we appreciate the chairman, committee and football club for trusting in us and for their effort, endeavour and support over the past ten months. Everyone has been brilliant to us and we thank them very much.
"Finally, we feel we have left the club in a better position than when we arrived. There is a lot of positivity surrounding the club now and players want to play for Lancing FC."
Here is how we reported Naim Rouane's arrival at Lancing last yearThe pair are clearly ambitious and it will be interesting to see if they land roles higher up the non-league pyramid.
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Hide AdLancing chairman Steve Taylor said: "Myself, and the whole of Lancing Football Club, would like to express our sincere gratitude to Naz and Dave for the first-class efforts that they have both provided us over the past season. Their dedication, desire, attitude and professionalism has been truly impressive and we wish them the very best in their future managerial careers.
"There was much excitement and expectation upon their arrival to our club and they delivered every day they were in charge. I speak on behalf of all of the committee when I say that the management team were vital assets to our club and to County football and that they depart on really good terms with everybody associated with Lancing FC
"The season unfortunately took an unexpected turn and a premature ending. Under the management of Naz, David and Kane Louis we were on course to reach our highest ever league position and have shown to everyone the massive potential this club has.
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Hide Ad"We will always be very grateful to them for that. As an FA Charter Standard Community Club with 18 teams and a large community presence, it has been immensely beneficial to have such a class management team and first team squad serve as an inspiration to the younger players.
"Naz and Dave will always be given a warm welcome upon their returning visits to Culver Road and we as a committee are confident that they will go on to achieve great things in their football careers and we will be here to support them in whatever capacity we can."
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