This weekend marked a significant shift in Sussex non-league football, as two of its most prominent managers both from their respective Isthmian leagues were shown the exit door. Jamie Hollis of Lancing and Danny Bloor of Hastings United have both parted ways with their clubs, leaving fans and players to ponder what comes next?
Some of you will know from The SNLF Podcast (available on all good streaming platforms) that both of these managers were recent guests on the show and really made the effort to support our brand, which in turn supports Sussex Non-League clubs.
Jamie Hollis’ Departure from Lancing FC
Jamie Hollis, who had been at the helm of Lancing FC since the start of the 2024/25 season after stepping up from first team coach to manager after replacing the now new Whitehawk FC boss Dave Altendorff, was relieved of his duties after a challenging start to the season. Despite his best efforts, Lancing struggled for form, and recent performances highlighted the difficulty in finding consistency on the pitch. The club currently finds itself in 21st position in the league with 4 points from 11 games and only 8 goals scored all season, and the decision was likely made with the hope of turning the team’s fortunes around quickly.
An official club statement read: “We have taken the difficult decision to part ways with Jamie Hollis in his role as first team manager with immediate effect, The club would like to place on record their thanks to Jamie and Phil for their hard work and dedication, not just this season but also as part of the successful regime last season, and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours.’
Hollis has a long-standing relationship with the club, he is a local lad, who had success in youth football, an outstanding UEFA B coach and training for his A badge, having been involved in various capacities with the club over the years. His departure marks the end of a relatively short chapter, but he will undoubtedly be remembered for his contributions to the club overall. As the team looks ahead to the rest of the season, a new manager will need to be appointed swiftly to steady the ship and address the challenges facing Lancing both on and off the field.
After recently interviewing Jamie for The SNLF Podcast, I got to understand his technical philosophy for the game, the type of football he wanted to play at Lancing whilst also understanding how realistic he was, given, Lancing have one of the smallest budgets in the league, at this level it’s a balancing act and sometimes money talks. However, at the end of the day, we all know football is a results business and ultimately tough decisions are to be made.
Most recently, I caught up with Jamie whilst he was scouting the local youth teams for up and coming talent in the region, it was clear he had a long-term vision for his team and ultimately the club too, and was certainly putting in the effort behind the scenes as far down as U14s level on that given day.
It brings me to the question, the difference between a manager and a coach at this level. I’ve played a county standard in my playing days albeit a terrible trainer, and certainly not the most gifted of centre-halves, but I have also “managed” at youth and development levels, so feel I have some sort of justified opinion on the situation, I was never one for planning training sessions and specific drills, I knew my limits in those terms and would delegate these sessions out, to qualified coaches, with my vision of what I wanted the lads to achieve and what could be transferred onto the pitch with these ideas.
I realised early on my skill was “player management” and understanding what made the lads react best to the situations they were placed in. Personally, I would struggle with trying to become a high-level qualified coach after being a just manager, so perhaps the same applied to Jamie, perhaps not, I’m not in their changing room, or on their training pitch, but one thing is for sure, he took on a huge role, for his local club and gave it his all trying to make it work, and change things around, but sometimes it just does not happen and unfortunately for him, the committee made a decision. Was the decision too early? Perhaps, only time will tell in a very tough division, but that’s up to the committee at the club, and who am I to judge?
Lancing as a club have yet to announce any potential candidates for the vacant position, but the internet is rife with rumours who could be in line to replace Jamie?
All you have to do is search on X or Twitter for the old guard, everyone will have an opinion and feel best placed to suggest their candidates for the vacant role.
Will it be an ex-manager of the club who is familiar with the committee and youth set-ups, or do they look for a fresh appointment from outside the club? Who is actually available that would want this tough challenge? Have the club been speaking to another manager in the previous weeks?
I would expect so, a club with a large local following like Lancing need stability and don’t usually react with rash decisions, without a solution in place. I could be wrong, but I suspect that’s the case.
Out of respect for the club and departed manager we won’t speculate who we at The SNLF think or who we have heard could be replacing him, but the task will be an uphill battle for whoever steps in. Lancing fans, whilst some maybe disappointed that he wasn’t given a longer spell to change their league position, will hope that the incoming gaffer can spark a turnaround in form before it’s too late.
The SNLF would also like to put on the record that we wish Jamie the very best for the future and thank him for contributing to our online content and we expect to see him back in management soon.
Danny Bloor’s Sudden Exit from Hastings United
Meanwhile, probably a bigger shock to me was over at Hastings United this weekend, the decision to part ways with Danny Bloor has sent shockwaves throughout the non-league football community. Bloor had endured a mixed start to the season at the club, but recent results seem to have fallen short of the board’s expectations. Hastings United currently sit in 16th place in the Isthmian Premier Division with 3 wins from 11 games probably below the lofty ambitions of the club.
An official club statement confirmed the news on Saturday “We can confirm this evening that we have mutually agreed to part company with our Men’s First Team Manager Danny Bloor with immediate effect.
The club wishes Danny all the best for the future and would like to thank him for all of his hard work and dedication since being appointed as manager in the close season.
Bloor’s sacking comes at a time when many expected the club to potentially push for promotion this season, but a string of underwhelming performances, particularly against teams lower in the table, may have forced the hand of the board. His departure has sparked mixed reactions, with many supporters online praising his achievements and expressing surprise at the decision, while others see this as a necessary move to kickstart a campaign that has failed to live up to expectations, opinions are clearly divided.
Now Danny is no stranger to non-league football, he is a respected character across the Southern counties and a great guy to interview, one I really respect.
He has managed big clubs at this level such as Eastbourne, Worthing, Lewes and even Welling Utd. He is from the older school of management and obviously a guy who isn’t afraid to speak his mind when things aren’t going right.
But nonetheless I was sure, given the time he would change the teams’ fortunes around. He once famously said “I don’t do coaching, I pick the team” some supporters may not understand that and there is a huge difference, as I mentioned above with coaches and managers, but I get what he means, he, like I confessed, obviously knew their were coaches better placed to implement his ideas on the pitch other than himself.
But, perhaps in a potential opposite to Jamie Hollis, Bloor’s man-management skills and recruitment drive would have been complimented by a top technical coach to assist him, strangely the pair could have been an excellent combination together in my honest opinion, now that’s an intriguing thought, albeit extremely unlikely to ever happen.
As with Lancing, the focus now shifts to who will step in to replace Bloor. Hastings United have ambitions beyond just competing in their current league, we know this, and the next manager will be tasked with steering the team back toward promotion contention.
Sean Ray and Bobbi Deegan will take over first team duties at Hastings Utd for the upcoming fixtures, like Lancing speculation is rife who will take over full-time, when its officially announced you know www.thesnlf.co.uk will have the full scoop for our community.
A Turning Point for Sussex Non-League Football
So, the departures of two managers in the same weekend highlights the volatility and unpredictability of non-league football. Both Lancing and Hastings United now face crucial periods where managerial appointments could make or break their seasons.
For Hollis and Bloor, the next chapter of their careers is uncertain, but their impact on Sussex football won’t be forgotten anytime soon. As the footballing world watches to see who will take the reins at these two clubs, one thing is for certain: the managerial merry-go-round in Sussex football could be about to set in full swing, hold tight this could get bumpy!
Let us know what you think about these managerial changes and what impact they will have on Sussex non-league football by dropping us a message on X @TheSNLF or if you fancy voicing your opinion, why not come onto the podcast and let us hear your opinion, one things for sure, this platform is by the fans for the fans.
Mike McCaffrey