Otford United appoint Management Duo
Otford United have this weekend announced their new First Team Management set-up.
Jamie Knight and Mike Cunningham will be taking over as Managers with Kenny Gillam as Assistant Manager.
Chairman Stuart Cunningham said: “Jamie and Mike will bring a wealth of experience to the management and the club committee will be there alongside them, as they aim to push Otford United FC onwards and upwards.”
Knight, who made his first-team debut at the age of 15, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing, to be honest, this club has been a huge part of my life for such a long time and to now be the manager of my boyhood club is an absolute dream come true.”
Mike Cunningham added: “Very excited about the opportunity to take a club that is very close to both mine and Jamie’s hearts and drive it forward.
“We have an exciting squad of players that we can’t wait to get on the training ground with to start our new push together.
“There is a great squad of players that have the potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the league but we have to first accept that we have underperformed and that without hard work we will not achieve our goals.
“We are also blessed with a new feed of players from our youth section, which is the recipe for success at any club and we can’t wait to work with these boys in their personal development.”
The O’s remain in lockdown so the pair will have to wait for their first game in charge in December but the club are presently sitting in the bottom four of the Kent County League Premier Division table with two wins and two draws from their opening 10 league outings.
Last week the Club revealed they had parted ways with First Team boss Ricky Tompkins.
“Otford United Football Club have this morning parted company with first-team manager Ricky Tompkins and assistant manager Terry Donovan,” said a club statement.
“We would like to place on record our thanks and gratitude to both Ricky and Terry for their efforts during their time at Otford United and wish them both the very best for the future.
“This was a very tough decision for the football club to make especially given the current suspension of the footballing season but we remain focused on cementing our Kent County Premier Division status this season.
“We can confirm that Kenny Gillam will be remaining with the club.”
Tompkins, meanwhile, revealed on his Twitter account that he felt surprised that his second spell in charge of the club has come to an end.
“Well, news that I didn’t expect this morning, phone call from board telling me they were moving forward with a new manager,” said Tompkins.
“Picking a team up from bottom last year, 90% new team and five points of sixth-place. I built changing room benches, made the pitch the best it’s looked in years but obviously the club wants better and it wasn’t delivered.
“Good luck to the club, it’s been a tough year with lots going on but I’ll move on and I’m looking for a new club.”