Fogarty quits as Southam boss

Fogarty had indicated last week that a third defeat in a row at Dudley Town would lead him to walk away, but he had talked positively about the future with chairman Charles Hill immediately after the FA Cup loss, giving no hint of what was to come.

However, with the weekend to mull things over, Fogarty decided on Monday afternoon to call time on his two-year reign at Banbury Road.

“I thought about giving it a bit longer, but just seem to have run out of steam and need a break,” said Fogarty (right).

“Normally, I would be up for training, watching matches and chasing after new players but the drive isn’t there and I had to do what was right by the club and me.

“The club have been fantastic, with the chairman giving me everything I asked for, and this is a great job for someone. I am just sorry that isn’t going to be me.”

While Fogarty had tried to hold on to all his players from last season, believing that the experience would stand them in good stead for another promotion push, he lost full-back Jack Taylor, who was the team’s second-highest scorer, central defender Charlie Neale, forward Tunde Ajibade and player-of-the-season James Hardie.

Luke Cole returned to the club as Hardie’s replacement but, having played in the opening match, missed the next two through injury.

The goals that were expected to come from Simeon Smith, Jim Graham and former Leamington striker Martin Thompson failed to materialise and the side has looked a pale shadow of last season’s title challengers.

Having joined Saints from Massey Ferguson to be Barry Shearsby’s assistant, Fogarty took over at the start of the 2010/11 season and his side won the Coventry Telegraph Challenge Cup at the Ricoh Arena.

They followed up by finishing runners-up to Continental Star in last season’s Midland Combination Premier, although faltering near the end when the title was within their grasp.

Hill was due to discuss the vacancy with assistant manager Shearsby after training tonight (Thursday).

Shearsby took charge of the team for the defeat to Pilkington XXX on Tuesday night but described the departure of his friend as “a bit of a shock to say the least”.

“I only learned of Luke’s departure on Monday on my drive down to Devon for a business trip and hadn’t had much time to think about the match,” said Shearsby.

“I came back to Southam to help Luke and, while nobody likes losing games, it is still early days.

“I will do everything I can to help the club and the players, but feel like I am in limbo and will have to see how the situation pans out.”