Chatham Town appoint Peter Hawkins as their new assistant manager

Maidstone-born Hawkins, 35, has replaced Keith Levett, 45, who decided to leave the club after three years because he was frustrated with the lack of time being spent coaching the players at the club.

Chatham Town finished last season in 12th place in the Ryman League Division One North table and reached the last qualifying round of The FA Cup where they lost 2-0 at home to St Albans City.

“We are pleased to inform you that Kevin has appointed Peter Hawkins as his assistant manager for the forthcoming season,” said a club statement.

“Kevin spoke to quite a few candidates over the last few weeks but from meeting with Peter he is confident that he will be a big asset to the clubs development.

“Peter has a wealth of playing experience at both a professional and semi-professional level.

“He shares common aspirations but also understands the constraints with which a club at our level faces.

“Peter is an accomplished coach with a passion for player development.

“We welcome Peter to the club at what is sure to be an exciting season for us all.”

Hawkins came up through the youth system at Wimbledon. He joined York City on a loan in February 2000, where he made 14 appearances in League Two in the 1999–00 season, before breaking into the first-team at Wimbledon in the following season. He went on to make over 130 league and cup appearances for Wimbledon in four seasons.

He joined Rushden & Diamonds in July 2004, for whom he started 69 games. He left the club by mutual consent in March 2006 after not featuring in the first-team since the previous December, and joined Ebbsfleet United a week later.

By the end of the 2007–08 season, Hawkins had made over 80 appearances for Ebbsfleet and collected a winner’s medal when the Kent club won the FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium in May 2008.

Towards the back end of the 2008–09 season, Hawkins had two separate loan spells at his hometown club Maidstone United, making 16 appearances in total.

After being released by Ebbsfleet in May 2009, Hawkins signed a permanent deal with Maidstone for the 2009–10 season.

In June 2010 he joined Tonbridge Angels after being released by Maidstone. He rejoined Maidstone in September in 2010 before leaving again a month later, where he joined up with former Stones manager Lloyd Hume at Kent County League outfit Bly Spartans (now Rochester United).

In February 2011 Hawkins returned to Ryman League football, joining former Maidstone United manager Peter Nott at Whitstable Town.

Meanwhile, Chatham Town begin their pre-season campaign against Erith & Belvedere on Friday, 4 July.

The game will be played indoors at the London Soccer Dome on the Greenwich Peninsula, the first or two games being played there, the other one being between Erith & Belvedere and Ryman Premier League side Hendon seven days later.

The facility will shut down in October to make way for housing.

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