WORCESTER City manager Carl Heeley has praised the impact of former joint boss Matt Gardiner after his departure to Kidderminster Harriers was confirmed.
Gardiner will become head of coaching at Aggborough on July 1 after the 42-year-old ended his four-year stay as part of the Blue and Whites management team, including a spell as joint manager this season.
Speaking to the club’s website, Heeley said he would remain ‘great friends’ with Gardiner and understood his decision.
“After the last couple of seasons’ cup exploits, both Matt and I had decisions to make about our aspirations in the game, whether we wanted to go full-time, or continue part-time,” Heeley said.
“It’s a certainty that I won’t go full-time, but Matt has always made no secret of the fact he wanted to pursue a full-time career in football.
The duo enjoyed success on the field during their partnership including City’s 2-1 victory at the Ricoh Arena over League One Coventry City in November 2014.
“Matt has been an incredible asset for the football club. He worked extremely hard and is hugely meticulous with his planning,” Heeley said.
“We’ve had some great times, great results and great experiences together at the helm of Worcester City and nobody can take that away from us. As players do, staff move on.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, I would like to thank Matt for all of his hard work and I hope it all works out for him.”
Heeley criticised the timing of Kidderminster’s approach for the former Bromsgrove Rovers, Shrewsbury Town and Torquay United defender.
“It wasn’t great from a Worcester City perspective, but they had to appease their own supporters under mounting pressure.
“I guess that’s just how they decided to deal with it. I’m disappointed but I’m not going to dwell on it,” he added.
Speaking about his appointment to work alongside new manager John Eustace, Gardiner said: “It’s been a big decision for me, however the opportunity to coach and develop players in a full-time environment has always appealed to me.
“The vision, infrastructure and plans for the future are exciting and, whilst I know there’s a lot of hard work ahead, I can’t wait to get started.
“John and I are looking forward to hitting the ground running now. We have some momentum to take into next season which is excellent.”