I'm pleased to be back amongst friends, the warmth of the people and the players is what attracted me back to the club, says Crowborough Athletic's assistant Steve Ives

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC manager Sean Muggeridge has announced that Steve Ives has left his managerial post at AFC Uckfield Town to become his assistant manager.

“Having known Steve and worked with him previously, it was an opportunity too good to miss when he decided to resign from his managerial position at AFC Uckfield Town,” Muggeridge told the club’s website.

"I already had Alan Murray as head coach and Mark Irvine had also returned to the club in his original position of goalkeeping coach, therefore, the team was strong anyway.

“Wayne Clarke was acting as my temporary assistant whilst injured, however, he's far too important as a player for us, when fit, to be sitting on the bench helping me.

"Therefore, I contacted Steve and asked if he would be interested in coming back to the club he still has an affection for from when he was here with the reserve and first teams.

“He wanted time away from the game and to spend time with his family but eventually agreed to come along to training and some of our games.

"I'm pleased he has now agreed to become my assistant and look forward to working with him and the rest of my team as we build the club for a successful future".

Ives said he has been attracted by the warmth of the people at Crowborough Athletic.

He said: “I'm pleased to be back amongst friends, the warmth of the people and the players is what attracted me back to the club.

"I left AFC Uckfield Town because I felt I'd taken the side as far as I could with the commitment they could offer me. I didn't have any particular plan on what to do next and considered a break from the game, although I soon got itchy feet.

"A couple of offers came in but none that felt quite right for me. I then came to watch the home game with Hollands & Blair and was really impressed with the standard, on top of that I was a bit overwhelmed at the amount of people who made a point of saying hello, it felt a bit like coming home!”

Crowborough Athletic defeated Erith Town 3-0 last weekend and travel to Cray Valley sitting in the bottom six of the Southern Counties East Football League table on 19 points from 15 games, 10 points clear of bottom side Holmesdale.

"This league poses a new challenge for me and I'm excited to assist Mugsy and the rest of the excellent management team in any way I can,” added Ives.

“Last Saturday's performance and result was very pleasing, the challenge for us all now is to get some consistency going".

Visit Crowborough Athletic’s website: http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/crowboroughathletic