JAY Keating said being sacked after just three months as Folland Sports manager came as a “massive shock” – not least because he had done everything the club asked him to.

When he took the job in early May, the former Dorchester Town reserve boss was under the impression he had been chosen because of his ability to nurture young talent.

But with just one pre-season friendly under his belt – a 1-1 draw against a Weymouth XI – Poole-based Keating, 40, was flabbergasted to turn up for Tuesday’s game against Merley Cobham Sports and be sacked before kick-off.

“It was a massive shock,” he admitted. “I drove over with my dad and some players and got out of the car to be told the club had lost confidence in me.

“We’d had one trial game and one friendly at home which we drew against a Weymouth side that had five players with Conference South experience.

“It’s worse than what happened at Bashley (where Dave Stride was sacked after 40 days) because I got one game in charge - and we didn’t even lose it!

“Follands didn’t want an older side that would cost money and they wanted a better disciplinary record.

“I had a good young side coming together, there was no swearing and we were trying to create a family environment.

“There’s zero budget at Follands and one of the reasons I was picked was my ability to develop young players, but now they're saying they want experienced Wessex players.

“I’ve wasted three months of my life doing what they asked me to do and now I’ve been let go for not doing the opposite of what they wanted!

“Isn’t it ageist to say players are too young? If a lad of 16 is strong and a good player, does it matter how old he is?

“I had lads there who had come out of Saints and Bournemouth, the oldest one was 26 and the average age was just under 20.

“We played really well against a class Weymouth side, all on the deck with a purpose. Weymouth’s reserve manager Brad Asagba rang me to say he can’t believe I’ve gone.”

Experienced football man Kevin Jackson has taken over as head coach and has already begun the rebuilding process after the Planemakers were beaten 6-0 by Dorset Premier outfit Merley.

They visit Poole Town on Saturday and host a Gosport Borough XI on Monday (7.30pm) before kicking off the Sydenhams Premier campaign at home to Bemerton next Friday (August 7, 7.45pm).