Erith & Belvedere appoint John-Paul Collier as assistant manager, while Byron Beard is named Holmesdale's new boss

ERITH & BELVEDERE’S newly-appointed manager John Wilfort has named John-Paul Collier as his assistant manager.

“I’m pleased to announce that John-Paul Collier will be my number two,” Wilfort told www.erithbelvederefc.co.uk.

“Myself and JP have very similar thoughts about the game and what we want from the players. 

“JP is a very good coach and has good knowledge of the game so for me it’s a good match and one I’m very pleased with. I look forward to working with him, welcome aboard JP.”

Collier began the season as joint-player-manager at their Southern Counties East Football League rivals Beckenham Town.

Collier said: “Firstly, I would like to thank John Wilfort for asking me to join him here at Erith & Belvedere.

“I know he had a lot of people interested in coming in with him, so for him to call and ask me to join him says a lot.

“We inherit a good squad and good set up left behind by Matt Longhurst. We now aim to push on from his good work and hopefully take the club to the next level.

“What I can guarantee from this team will be a desire to play football positively and to work hard every week on perfecting this style.

“We are eager to get into training and start implementing our ideas. We look forward to the hard work ahead.”

Wilfort has also confirmed that Paul Gorman will be re-joining the club to become coach.

“Paul brings a wealth of experience to the table having played at the top level (for Charlton Athletic) so I look forward to working with Paul,” added Wilfort.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper coach and head of youth development Darren Mace will also be continuing on with his roles within the club.

Meanwhile, Holmesdale appointed their new manager last Saturday, following Wilfort’s departure to Park View Road.

Byron Beard, who started the season in charge of Kent Invicta League side Orpington, was unveiled as the club’s new boss last Saturday.

A club statement said: “We would like to thank John for his contribution in his short spell as manager and wish him all the best for the future.

“Continuing our recent trend of appointing young managers we are delighted to have Byron Beard on board.”

Beard takes charge of the team for the first time when Deal Town visit Oakley Road on Saturday after caretaker manager Andy Harris took charge of the club for their 2-0 defeat at Beckenham Town in the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup tie in midweek.

Ross Mitchell and Myles Warren will remain in their respective positions as assistant manager and coach.

Meanwhile, perennial Kent Invicta League strugglers Lewisham Borough have confirmed that Ben Kotey and his assistant coach Martin West have resigned.

Chairman Ray Simpson along with director of football George Davis will take charge of team affairs.

Their first game in charge was the club’s 3-0 defeat at AC London last night, leaving the Ladywell Arena based outfit second-from-bottom in the table, having won one and lost ten of their 11 league outings.