BILLERICAY Town have parted company with joint manager Jason Broom.

The injury-ravaged Ryman Premier side have slumped further towards the drop zone during a horrendous month that has seen them collect just one point from the last 15 on offer.

It is believed that the club’s decision to end Broom’s reign came following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at fellow strugglers Margate.

That kept the New Lodge side in a perilous position just three points above the danger zone with seven games to go.

Broom’s fellow manager Grant Gordon and ex-Southend United and West Ham winger Lee Hodges, who returned to the club a few weeks ago as player/assistant manager, will take charge of the team for tomorrow’s vital home match with another side in deep peril, Harlow Town.

Gordon had decided to quit his position as joint manager at the end of the season with the thought that Hodges might take over as number two to Broom, with one of the most experienced players, Steven Heffer, perhaps stepping in as coach.

Gordon had hoped to move into a position as director of football and said last night: “First of all I feel desperately sorry for Jason.

“No-one could have worked harder than him to make a success here and I know our chairman Steve Kent feels the same.

“But it was felt that a change had to be made after Saturday’s game when our injury situation was made worse by two more of our most experienced players, captain Jamie Dormer and striker Joe Flack, joining the long list of those who couldn’t play due to knocks.

“It meant we went into the game with a patched up side with a number of our under-18 youngsters either playing or on the bench.

“They did us proud, but what we need now is experienced people who can ensure that we get out of our current situation.

“I don’t even want to begin to think about the future at the moment. Perhaps if we get the right results Lee might throw his hat into the ring regarding the manager’s job.

“I was instrumental in him coming back and I know he’d dearly love to go into the management side long term.”

Gordon hopes to have three new experienced signings in the line-up for tomorrow’s game.

He and Broom took over the management in November 2007 when Matt Jones, despite taking the club through to an FA Cup first round clash with Swansea City, departed with the team having slumped to a lowly placing in the league.

The new duo got the Blunts Wall Road side in a final position where they only just missed out on the play-offs last season — but this term has been horrific on the injury front.

“I don’t think we’re cursed,” said Gordon. “It's just one of those things that can happen in football.

“We have some of the best physio people at any club at this level, but it’s been a nightmare almost from the start of the campaign injury-wise.”

Broom, who had previously been at New Lodge as a player and was coach under Jones, enjoyed a brilliant non-league playing career — principally with Dagenham and Redbridge.