Pat Rayment has left his position as Spalding United manager by mutual consent after admitting that he’s taken the club as far as he can.
The move was announced today (Wednesday), but the decision was taken at a Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field meeting on Tuesday night.
Rayment’s exit ends a hugely successful near-four year stint as Tulips chief, during which time he won two trophies and earned promotion back to Evo-Stik League First Division South.
The former Peterborough United professional leaves Spalding in a much better position than when he arrived and will go down as one of the best managers in their recent history.
However, three league defeats on the spin had sparked speculation about his future – and the ex-Deeping Rangers chief admits that he is now looking for a new challenge.
Rayment feels that he and the club have been good for each other and insists that there is no ill feeling on either side.
He said: “We’ve decided to part company. It’s been a brilliant four years and there is no ill feeling whatsoever.
“But I feel like I’ve taken the club as far as I can. I also feel like I need a new challenge, if one should present itself to me.
“It’s been a brilliant roller-coaster at Spalding and I wouldn’t have missed the ride for anything.
“I’d like to thank the board, staff, players and supporters. I think we enjoyed a hugely successful few years and I can certainly say that I leave the club in a much stronger position than when I arrived.
“I’d like to think that we’ve been mutually beneficial for each other. The club has improved while I’ve been here and I think I’ve progressed as a manager too.
“I feel a strong bond with Spalding and the town. I’ve got a business here and have made some great friends. The football relationship may have ended, but the friendships won’t.
“In the football climate, I think four years is a long time. I’m not going to change my mind, this is 100 per cent for real this time.
“I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and I’ve certainly given people plenty to talk about.
“But it’s time for somebody else to have a go now. Whoever comes in will be coming to a great football club.”
Rayment replaced Andy Stanhope as Tulips chief back in January 2012. His first game was a 3-2 ChromaSport UCL Premier Division defeat at King’s Lynn Town, with Spalding finishing the season in 13th place.
The next season saw the Tulips beaten to the league title by South Holland neighbours Holbeach United and miss out on promotion to second-placed St Ives Town.
But they did win the UCL Knockout Cup final, seeing off St Ives Town 4-0 in the final.
Then came Rayment’s finest hour as chief, as he steered Spalding to the UCL Premier Division crown in 2014 – bagging 97 points and winning 32 of the 36 games en route to promotion.
Last year saw the Tulips narrowly take their bid to reach the Evo-Stik League First Division South play-offs to the final day of the season, but they ended up seventh.
Rayment now leaves a side sitting 12th in the table, but they are very much still in the promotion hunt.
Marcus Ebdon and Danny Hussey will take charge of Saturday’s Sir Halley date with Newcastle Town on Saturday (3pm), but beyond that the future is unclear.
Spalding chairman Andy Gay said: “Following a constructive meeting on Tuesday, Spalding United and manager Pat Rayment have parted company on mutual agreement.
“There is no animosity between the club and Pat and we thank him most sincerely for everything he has done since he joined us in January 2012.
“We will keep everyone informed on the direction we as a club now take, but at this stage assistant manager Marcus Ebdon and coach Danny Hussey will be in charge of the team on Saturday for the league game against Newcastle Town.”
Meanwhile, Spalding’s home friendly with a Boston United XI tonight (Wednesday) has been postponed.
