GRAYS Athletic owner Andy Swallow insists there is no bad blood between him and Jody Brown after the latter’s sudden departure, saying he would have “been a fool” not to entertain the notion of managing at a higher level.

Brown joined Conference Premier outfit Welling United shortly before Christmas, having only arrived at Grays at the start of the season, but Swallow says the decision to become a full-time manager was an opportunity he couldn’t refuse.

And Swallow insisted Grays would soon turn a corner in their form, having lost four of the last five in the league to leave them only six points above the Ryman Premier Division relegation places.

“I wanted Jody to go and speak to Welling,” he said. “He came to me and told me what was happening and I told him I wanted him to go and talk to them.

“The lure of becoming a full-time manager is something not many people would turn down. I am not disappointed by his decision as it was something he had to do.

“He would have been a fool not to go and listen to them and I wish him well.”

Swallow oversaw his first league game in charge against rivals East Thurrock United, but they lost 3-1 in front of a strong home crowd at Mill Field.

A brace from Sam Higgins and a goal from Mitchell Gilbey put Rocks out of sight before a late Joao Carlos consolation.

“The first half was not acceptable,” continued Swallow. “We were not at the races at all and I think part of us was feeling sorry for ourselves.

“Jody’s departure unsettled the team but we need to move on from that. He liked 4-4-2 and we went with a 4-3-3 today and, because we lost, people might question that.

“But with hindsight I would have kept it the same. I can tell them how I want them to play but once they are out on the pitch and the game happens, that changes. They have to be more disciplined.

“When Jody was here a 6-4 win would have been fine but we need to learn how to grind out a win. So we go back to the drawing board.”

Swallow didn’t rule out appointing ex-Southend United man and current Grays assistant manager as the next first-team boss. Mark Bentley has been helping Swallow, Glen Little and the rest of the backroom staff since Brown’s departure.

“Mark Bentley is a very knowledgeable person to have alongside you. He knows what this team needs but we are aiming to have someone in place by second or third week of January.

“But we have been left with eight central midfielders on our books and that is crazy.”

Swallow also stuck by his decision to play Lamar Johnson over Conor Gough, despite admitting the goalkeeper was at fault for East Thurrock’s opening goal on Saturday.

It was Johnson’s first league start for Grays since he was handed a nine-month ban from football after he breached FA guidelines following a game with Bury Town in September 2013.

It is understood that Johnson overturned tables and smashed a glass after a Bury player said something to him at full time, and Swallow said he stood by the decision to start him.

“He was outstanding against Barkingside in the League Cup (Grays won 1-0) and I wanted to see him in the league at this level. I am sure Conor will want to have a conversation and I will be more than happy to speak to him but I have learned a few things today so I don’t regret the decision.”