I feel it’s important now that we maintain a settled squad going into the second half of the season and hopefully we can carry on the form and results, says Erith & Belvedere interim manager Andy Constable

ERITH & BELVEDERE interim manager Andy Constable says the departure of Tony Beckingham has come as a big surprise to everyone inside and outside the club.

 

Beckingham "resigned after clashing with the board" following a 3-3 home draw against Fisher on 3 December and the runaway leaders have retained Constable as interim manager.

Erith & Belvedere are 20 points clear of Stansfeld at the summit of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, having collected 50 points from 19 games, the halfway point of the season.

“Since the last home game there have been some changes at the club that have come as a big surprise to everyone inside and outside of the club,” said Constable.

“I’d like to place on record what a fantastic job Tony Beckingham has done to put the club in the position we currently occupy.

“The highlight has to be the 11-match winning streak at the start of the season to create a new club record.

“I have also seen first-hand how hard Tony has worked to build the squad and help establish structure on and off the pitch. It’s fair to say all of us in the management team are disappointed that Tony is no longer part of the team.”

The Deres beat Stansfeld 2-0 at Foxbury Avenue in Constable’s first game in interim charge.

Constable said: “That change in set-up has presented the opportunity for myself to take on the managers role, albeit in an interim capacity, which is something myself and the club were happy to proceed with.

“The goal is simple, we need to keep things consistent within the group so nothing needs to change.

“Hopefully this approach will continue our recent form over the coming months.

“I’m pleased that everyone else in the management team has agreed to continue with their current roles, as I know I will need their support to carry on where Tony left off.”

Constable, meanwhile, is delighted with the present form of former Beckenham Town title-winner Tunde Aderonmu, who has scored 17 goals this season.

“Our massive positive over the last few games has been the form of striker Tunde Aderonmu.  Tunde has stayed patient throughout the season when his form has dipped and has been on absolute fire scoring seven goals in the last four games.

“One of those goals from Tunde came in the last game, away to our nearest challengers in the league, second-placed Stansfeld.

“I was keen to get my first game in charge out of the way and even more pleased with the performance an result that saw us win comfortably 2-0.

“The first goal in that game came from Rob Strachan, who for a central defender is creating a very impressive goal tally of his own (five goals).

“The players delivered that day in what was a very tough fixture.  I’m sure outside of the dressing room there would have been a lot of eyes on us on how we would react without Tony in the dugout but the players did themselves and all of the management team proud by responding the way they did with a very important three points.”

Fourth-placed Erith Town are the visitors to Park View Road on Boxing Day (14:00).

The Dockers lost 2-0 at home to Erith & Belvedere on 16 November and Adam Woodward’s side have since beaten Whitstable Town (4-0), Lewisham Borough (3-0, Kent Senior Trophy) and beat Stansfeld 2-1 in The FA Vase last time out.

Erith Town have banked 28 points from their 14 league games and have games in hand on all of the sides above them in the pecking order.

“We have a very busy January coming up with some difficult fixtures but now the focus is on the Boxing Day game against Erith Town,” said Constable.

“The reverse fixture saw us get a great 2-0 win in atrocious conditions, hopefully with some better weather conditions we can put on a good performance for the supporters.

“Erith Town are an excellent side with some very dangerous players so we will have to be at our best to get a result.

“We have a full squad to select from and no real injuries to be concerned with so that is encouraging. I feel it’s important now that we maintain a settled squad going into the second half of the season and hopefully we can carry on the form and results.

“I hope both sets of fans and officials enjoy the festive derby and would like to wish everyone at the club a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.”

Erith & Belvedere  v  Erith Town
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Boxing Day, Monday 26 December 2022
Kick Off 2:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY