Dulwich Hamlet appoint Paul Barnes as permanent manager after six games in interim charge at Champion Hill

DULWICH HAMLET have appointed Paul Barnes as their permanent manager after six games in interim charge at Champion Hill.

Barnes, who managed in the Combined Counties League Premier Division South at Guildford City and Redhill last season, took the reins at the Vanarama National League South club following the departure of Gavin Rose and his assistant Junior Kadi after 13 years in charge on 11 September.

Barnes oversaw a 2-1 victory over Margate in The FA Cup Second Qualifying Round before beating Athletic Newham 5-2 in the London Senior Cup.

Dulwich Hamlet then lost 2-1 at Chippenham Town in the league before beating Cheshunt 3-0 in Hertfordshire.

Neil Cugley’s Folkestone Invicta then came to Champion Hill to send Hamlet crashing out of The FA Cup in the Third Qualifying Round before Hamlet lost 2-1 at home to Dartford on 8 October.

Dulwich Hamlet are presently in 20^th place (bottom five) in the table, with two wins and two draws from their opening 11 games.

“We can announce this evening that after an extensive recruitment process, Dulwich Hamlet Football Club has decided to offer the vacant full-time managerial position to the current interim manager Paul Barnes,” said a club statement.

“We assessed candidates across a wide range of capabilities, values and adherence to the culture being development here and Paul has continued to display many of those attributes required.

“Dulwich Hamlet remains a club in transition on and off the pitch. With Paul having been in role for the last month, a helpful level of continuity will be maintained with the squad going forward.

“We all recognise an underperformance versus the ability within the dressing room to date and look forward to seeing that improve over the course of the season.”

The club confirm that Daniel Gill will continue as Barnes’ assistant manager, with Tommy Cooney being first-team coach and Andy Smith as goalkeeping coach.

Level on eight points with Hungerford Town and Concord Rangers, Dulwich Hamlet are two points clear of Cheshunt and six clear of bottom side Weymouth.

Dulwich Hamlet play Hungerford Town in a relegation six-pointer at home tomorrow (15:00).

Visit Dulwich Hamlet’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dulwichhamlet