Crowborough Athletic: It has not been possible to agree with the family a playing budget for the first team this coming season

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC manager Sean Muggeridge is staying with the club despite suffering a budget cut.

The Crows finished their Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division campaign in third-place last season, finishing below promoted pair Sevenoaks Town and Whitstable Town.


Sean Muggeridge is staying at Crowborough Athletic

Muggeridge’s squad broke up at the end of last season as the people funding the highly-paid first team didn’t come up with the money.

His assistant manager, Steve Ives, took on a similar role at Eastbourne Town, who have also announced the signings of former Crows, Sam Carrington, Dan Tear and Jack Turner.

“The club are delighted to announce that Sean Muggeridge has accepted our offer to remain as first team manager,” said a club statement from Crowborough.

“Sean has nearly finalised the remaining members of his backroom team and this will be announced shortly.

“Sean has also been busy talking to players and arranging pre-season friendlies. The schedule for pre-season will be announced as soon as confirmation of the last two matches have been confirmed in writing.”

On the club’s financial situation, the East Sussex club added:  “The executive committee would like to place on record their thanks to the Family for their generous contribution to the club over the past two seasons, associated with the ZBMC shirt sponsorship.

“It has not been possible to agree with the family a playing budget for the first team this coming season.  Many meetings have been held over the last two years regarding the family’s proposal to install a 3G pitch in exchange for a majority stake in the club.

“However, despite progress on most fronts the family are not in a position to make a detailed offer to the membership.

“The club will now explore other ways of securing funding for this project but the door remains open for the family to submit a formal offer of investment once all the required elements are in place and subject to the financial commitments made to day having been fulfilled.  Any offer that may materialise will of course be put to the membership in accordance with the club’s constitution.”

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