Chatham Town unveil Tony Beckingham as their new manager as George Howard returns to the game as club's goalkeeper coach

CHATHAM TOWN have today unveiled Tony Beckingham as their new manager.

Beckingham has been appointed as the new clubs manager after Kevin Horlock quit the club to return to Ryman Premier League side Needham Market as their assistant manager.

Beckingham has enticed Darren Anslow to leave Southern Counties East Football League side Cray Valley, where he was part of Paul Gross’s management team, to become his assistant manager.

Beckingham was joint-manager with Clive Cook at Hythe Town last season where the pair won one and drew one of their six games together before Cook took sole charge at Reachfields Stadium and guided them to a fourth-placed finish.

The Cannons went on to lose 7-0 at Worthing in the play-off semi-final.

Former Charlton Athletic, Bromley and Gillingham goalkeeper George Howard, 22, was forced to retire from the game following a life-threatening car accident in South Africa two summers ago, has been appointed goalkeeper coach at the Maidstone Road club.

“We are delighted to announce that Tony Beckingham has been appointed as the new first team manager, with Darren Anslow as his assistant,” said director of football Steve Binks in a statement.

“Tony and Darren have good management experience at Ryman League level and were also responsible for getting Phoenix Sports promoted to the Ryman League.

“Tony also brings with him as members of the management team George Howard as the goalkeeper coach; current first team player Jon Difford and Ray Tolfrey – player recruitment.

“We would also like to express a very warm welcome to the new management team and wish them every success over the coming seasons.”

Beckingham, meanwhile was keen to correct Binks statement, modestly saying that he wasn’t involved when Phoenix Sports won promotion into the Ryman League in April 2015.

Beckingham said: “Darren was obviously never at Phoenix and I was with them at the start of the Southern Counties East Football League championship season before going to East Grinstead so I can’t really take credit for that.

“I was there, of course, when we won the Kent Invicta (2012-13) and the first season in the Southern Counties East Football League when we finished sixth (2013-14)."

Beckingham confirmed that Difford will be player-assistant, while Terry Groom will stay on in his current role of assistant manager and physio.

Chatham Town finished their Ryman League Division One South campaign in the bottom six, having won 13 and drawn seven of their 46 games.

Visit Chatham Town’s website: www.chathamtownfc.info