Former Sittingbourne manager Darren Blackburn reveals bizarre explanation for axe and apologises if his best wasn't good enough

Darren Blackburn says he was axed as Sittingbourne manager over concerns a house move would affect his commitment.

Blackburn revealed that was the reason given in a short telephone call from a board member on Wednesday night.

Taken aback, he was offered the chance to resign but refused and said the club would have to sack him.

It’s a sad end for Blackburn after guiding the pre-season relegation favourites to 10th place in Isthmian South East - their best finish in almost a decade.

He has no problem with the board’s decision to make a change but was baffled by the explanation.

He also took exception to the wording of the club statement announcing his departure, which read: “Sittingbourne FC confirms that Darren Blackburn has left the club.”

“That makes it sound like I walked away, and I wouldn’t do that,” said Blackburn. “That’s the upsetting thing.

“If there’s a list of reasons for sacking me, then state them, get them out there. I’m big enough and ugly enough to take it.

“They must have assessed information to make the decision, so tell people the reasons, tell me the reasons, not the fact I’m moving house and they don’t think I’m going to be able to commit because the house needs an extension.

“I’d already booked 160 hours’ annual leave at work for games, I was on the lookout for an experienced No.2, I’d messaged players about coming in and I had three friendlies arranged.

"That was what I was told, that with me buying a house that needs an extension, they didn’t think I could commit.

“Bearing in mind my dad’s a builder, that’s the joke of it all.

“I was offered the chance to resign, so it would look better for me if I went for another job, but I wasn’t going to do that.

“If I go for another job and get an interview,