Crowborough Athletic appoint Simon Colbran to assist: This club means a lot to me personally, so I will be doing everything I can to help Sean Muggeridge get the right results

CROWBOROUGH ATHLETIC manager Sean Muggeridge has confirmed that Simon Colbran will be his assistant manager next season.

Colbran was joint-manager of the Crows alongside Harry Smith when the club won the Sussex County League Division One title in season 2007-08.

He has also managed with Muggeridge previously for a season when the pair nearly gained promotion in 2013-14.

Colbran has had previous experience coaching in the Conference Premier with Eastbourne Borough and has also managed Worthing, Horsham and Chipstead.

“I can’t wait to get going this season and working with Sean again. It’s going to be a tough year but we are more than up for it,” Colbran told www.pitchero.com/clubs/crowboroughathletic.

“When this opportunity came up and I was asked by Sean, I couldn’t turn it down as I love being on the touchline and working with the lads.

“This club means a lot to me personally, so I will be doing everything I can to help Sean get the right results.”

Crowborough Athletic finished in third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division last season, finishing below Sevenoaks Town and Whitstable Town who are both preparing for life in the Bostik South East Division.

Crowborough Athletic have also confirmed that Jonny Elwood has stepped down as first team coach due to his business expanding but he will be staying on with the club and will still be running their Academy side and under 18s.

Goalkeeper coach Alan Kibbey, meanwhile, will retain his position at the club for a third season.

Elsewhere, Rochester United’s newly-appointed manager Barry Morgan has appointed midfielder Darren Marsden as his player-assistant-manager.

The Rede Court Road outfit finished bottom of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division last season and will be playing First Division football next term.

Kent Football United have retained their Southern Counties East Football League First Division status after scraping through ground grading criteria yesterday morning.

The Dartford based club had until yesterday to finish work at their ground, although the club have not yet stated what improvements they have undertaken in the seven days grace they were granted by The Football Association.

A brief club statement said:  “Following our 11:00 ground inspection as part of our FA appeal it has been recommended by the League to The FA  that we retain our place in the First Division.

“Delighted for a club that’s worked so hard. Proud of who we are and what we’ve achieved.”

Chairman Roy Macneil said: “Following the FA confirming our ground grading and Southern Counties East Football League status, on behalf of the Kent Football United committee I would like to thank the League and member clubs for their support.”

It will mean that there will be 19 club’s in the First Division next season, one less than the top-flight.

Article published:  22:00 – Wednesday 13 June 2018