"Former Grimsby Town and Barrow boss Michael Jolley has stepped down as manager of non-league side Bury after just two days following a backlash against his appointment. It relates to an incident in 2009, when Jolley pleaded guilty to having sex with a 15-year-old girl. He was sentenced to a year's probation and placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 12 months."
"Jolley has always maintained the girl did not disclose her true age to him, telling him she was 19. In a statement on X on Sunday, he said subsequent investigations established he was "deceived, and at no time did I act maliciously". He has not been prevented from continuing his career in football and has worked at seven clubs since the incident, including two in the Football League."
"They included a statement from Jolley, which said: "I do not wish my presence to deter the board from its mission of returning the club to its rightful place in the EFL." In his statement on X, Jolley said his appointment had become a "distraction" for the club and he would "relinquish the opportunity to become first-team manager"."
Michael Jolley resigned as Bury manager two days after his appointment following widespread backlash connected to a 2009 incident. He pleaded guilty in 2009 to having sex with a 15-year-old, received a year's probation and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for 12 months. Jolley maintains the girl misrepresented her age and says investigations showed he was deceived and did not act maliciously. He continued working at seven clubs, including two in the Football League. Bury announced his appointment on Friday, faced fan protests and social media criticism, and confirmed he was relieved of duties by mutual consent.
Read at www.bbc.com
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