FORMER Bendigo Bombers chairman Warren Driscoll yesterday voiced his bitter disappointment at the Essendon Football Club board for its sacking of coach Matthew Knights.Driscoll was at the helm of the Bendigo Bombers as chairman when the VFL club appointed Knights as its new coach for 2005.After three years with Bendigo – in which he twice led the club into the VFL final – Knights was appointed Kevin Sheedy’s successor as Essendon senior coach for the 2008 season.However, despite two years still being left on his contract, Essendon late yesterday announced the sacking of Knights, ending months of speculation about his future.“I’m really annoyed at the board for not standing up for Matthew... I’m very disappointed for him,’’ Driscoll said.“He started with a young team at Essendon, he has had to deal with a lot of injuries, and if you look at all the other coaches who have been sacked over the past 10 years, they’ve all had at least five years. “Matthew doesn’t even get that opportunity, so it’s very disappointing.“But regardless of what’s happened today, we at the Bendigo Bombers are very proud of Matthew’s efforts at Essendon.’’nd member, Driscoll said the board’s decision to sack Knights showed a “lack of integrity’’.“I’m extremely disappointed in the board of Essendon, which made a decision last year to extend Matthew’s contract,’’ Driscoll said.“They have now gone away from that decision to extend his contract.“He was always on a hiding to nothing after taking over from a coach of 27 years (Sheedy), and I don’t believe the Essendon board has shown any integrity.“I don’t believe the Essendon board is worthy of running the club that I have been a member of for 10 years and a supporter of for 40.’’Driscoll remains a firm believer that Knights – who next month is likely to be named the coach of the Bendigo Diggers-Bombers Team of the Decade – provides a perfect example of the opportunities the Bendigo Bombers can provide.“With what Matthew has been able to go on and do in being a senior coach at AFL level, that has been fantastic for the Bendigo Bombers,’’ Driscoll said.Knights’ former captain and assistant coach at Bendigo, Nick Carter, said he was devastated for his good mate.“When Knighter got thrust into the Essendon job, he did so having come from the back of the pack in the opinion of many,’’ Carter said.“But he got the job through his hard work and the support of the Essendon board and (then managing director) Peter Jackson at the time.“Knowing the values that Knighter has and the strong family he has got, I think he will bounce back very quickly and won’t go hiding or anything like that.“He has got tremendous skills, experience and knowledge where if he wants to remain in football, he will.“I just hope the fact that he’s a first-time coach who has only had three years in the role and been sacked doesn’t tarnish what he’s got to give to the AFL.’’Carter is now coaching Golden Square in the Bendigo Football League.“I’ve certainly adopted a lot of things from Knighter into coaching Golden Square. I can’t speak highly enough of him,’’ Carter said.The sacking of Knights was confirmed by Essendon chairman David Evans at a press conference at Windy Hill at 5.30pm yesterday.“This was not an easy job to take on three years ago,’’ Evans said.“We were a club that was looking backwards, not forwards. Matthew took the job following one of the most long serving and successful coaches in our history. “It has not been an easy year on the field for our club. “But I do want to say that Matthew has started the process of rebuilding our list, and playing many new young players. “However, it has become very clear to the club that we have not made the progress we needed to make this year, and that we need a fresh start going into the new season. “This lack of progress is the basis of the board’s decision today. “I want to say to Matthew and to our members that we owe him thanks and respect for the job he has done the last three years through a period of great change and transition at our club. “This has not been an easy decision or one taken lightly. “And I want to say to everyone at our club – from the members, to the football department, to the executive and to the board – we all have a job to do over the coming years. There is a lot of hard work to be done.’’In his three years as Essendon coach, Knights built a 25-41-1 record.He coached Essendon into the finals last year for the first time since 2004, but the Bombers tumbled down the ladder this season as they finished 14th with just seven wins.