By, Danny Caro
2 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Tony Gold says he will look back on the job he did at London Lions with pride after stepping down from the post after five successful years.
Gold was asked to relinquish the post by club chairman David Pollock after the 7-0 defeat against London Colney in the Dudley Latham Memorial Premier Division Cup.
Having steered the team into the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division for the first time, the Lions have struggled this season, with Gold losing 15 members of the squad who won the Division One title last season. They have tumbled out of the FA Cup and FA Vase and have claimed only two wins this season.
Gold said: "I was asked to step down as I wanted to take the club in one direction but the club’s hierarchy wanted to take it in another, and I wouldn’t conform to what they wanted.
"I believe the club deserves respect to compete at the level it is in and there were times when I had to select players who I felt weren’t up to it. In the end, I didn’t have the players or quality, so it was an easy decision. I don’t mind losing, but we weren’t competing."
In the end, I didn’t have the players or quality, so it was an easy decision. I don’t mind losing, but we weren’t competing.
Under Gold, Lions won the Herts Senior County League Premier Division and Herts FA Senior Trophy, but he described last season’s SSML Division One title success as the “biggest footballing achievement" of his career.
He said: "I’ve worked with some amazing players and people. There are some unsung heroes including my assistant, Steve Grenfell, former coach Darren Yarlett, Basil Wein, Neil Myeroff and Neville Zeller who have put as much if not more in than me.
"I look back at the job I did with great pride as the club enjoyed unprecedented success. It’s in a far better place than when I took over. I’ve done it with an all-Jewish team against sides that have been together for years.
"I wish the club all the best for the future. Now I plan to have a little break to spend time with my family. I’m not rushing back into it and may even play a few more games. But I’d love the opportunity to do it at a higher level in the future."
Lions' Andy Landesberg has taken over as interim-manager. He took charge of Saturday's 4-0 defeat against Hoddesdon Town in which striker Adam Bolle scored against his former club. Landesberg will work together with coach Jonathan Kurrant.
Landesberg said: "Tony did unbelievable job in a professional way over a five-year period, but unfortunately he lost 15 of the successful team who won the league last season. In the end it became very difficult and he became frustrated. I think him stepping down was the right decision. He was dealing with a very disjointed squad.
"Now we have to find what our ultimate level is and see where it takes us. We have a great set of young boys at the club, although some are at university. Basically we have to start again.
"I've got no problems taking on the role for the next few weeks and then we'll see where we are. The one thing you get from me is 100 per cent and I’ve got to get the team back on track and I believe I can."
