Former Stamford manager Graham Drury has been sacked by Peterborough Sports just months after leaving the Daniels to take charge at PIMS Park, via Matlock.
The 55-year-old was appointed in May, but has been dismissed after only seven Southern League Premier Division Central fixtures. His departure brings an abrupt end to a move which had a significant impact on Stamford over the summer. Having ended his long spell at the Zeeco Stadium, Drury brought in 12 players at Sports, with the majority arriving from his former club as he attempted to build a side capable of returning to National League North at the first attempt.
That rebuilding job has been cut short despite Sports going unbeaten in their last five league matches. They were sitting 12th when the decision was made, with Saturday’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat at lower-level AFC Rushden & Diamonds followed by his dismissal the following day.
Chairman and owner Tim Woodward told the Peterborough Telegraph that the board’s decision had been unanimous, making clear his doubts centred on whether Drury could deliver promotion. He also said the conversation with his departing manager had been amicable.
“The board met and it was a unanimous decision to let Graham go. Tactically I don’t think he had it in him to win us promotion. I have spoken to Graham on the phone and he thanked me for the opportunity. It was all very friendly.”
For Drury, it means considering his next move considerably sooner than he would have anticipated when leaving Stamford at the end of last season. Speaking to the same newspaper, he accepted the decision while acknowledging his disappointment.
“It’s football and I accept our sport is a results business. It’s the club’s prerogative to make the decisions they feel is best for them. It’s disappointing, but I wish the club all the best while I consider whether or not to dust off my CV.”
Sports confirmed the dismissal in a brief statement, thanking Drury for his efforts and saying Woodward and the board would assess their next steps. The vacancy was subsequently advertised on Monday, with assistant Mark Duckett taking charge for Tuesday night’s trip to Leiston.
Duckett has previously worked at Bedford Town and Real Bedford, although it remains unclear whether he wants the permanent position. His immediate task is to extend the unbeaten league sequence left behind by Drury, with victory taking Sports above their eighth-placed opponents.
For Stamford supporters, there will be particular interest in what happens next after so many familiar faces followed their former boss over the summer. Sports had won their last three home games as well as putting together that five-match unbeaten league run, but neither was enough to earn Drury more time to see through the changes he had been brought in to make.
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