Peter Nolan lands FC Elmstead job while Croydon make Arena return next season

FC ELMSTEAD have unveiled Peter Nolan as their new manager.

 

The club lost their manager Ennio Gonnella, who stood down from the role on Saturday 8 May 2021, to return to manage their Southern Counties East Football League First Division rivals Kent Football United the next day.

General manager Fabio Rossi took over the reins and lead FC Elmstead to the London Senior Trophy Final after beating Balham B (3-2), AFC Cubo (5-2 after extra time) and they celebrated winning the silverware for the first time after they beat league rivals Forest Hill Park 2-1 at Barking’s Mayesbrook Park on Saturday 29 May 2021.

Nolan has stepped up from the Kent County League Division One West, where he managed Dartford-based side Halls Athletic and before that he was in charge of Bromleians.

Nolan was part of the management team under Lee Roots at both Forest Hill Park and Holmesdale prior to that but the FC Elmstead job will be his first in management at this level.

“We are delighted to announce that Peter Nolan has been appointed first-team manager of FC Elmstead,” said a brief club statement.

“A new era for the club and we look forward to him building a competitive team and hopefully a successful one.”

FC Elmstead groundshare Sutton Athletic’s Lower Road ground in Hextable and are looking to add to their managerial team.

“The club are keen to bring in an assistant/coach to work with the first-team management so if interested please get in touch asap,” said a Sutton Athletic statement.

Sutton Athletic have appointed Lee Soutby as their new reserve team manager and he will be assisted by player-coach Ben Williams for the 2021-22 season.

Meanwhile, Croydon will be playing their home games at the Croydon Sports Arena next season.

The club played all of its games away from home before the campaign was halted due to Covid-19 last season and played a winning London Senior Trophy seven-goal thriller against Athletic Newham at the Crystal Palace National Sports Centre on 5 December 2020.

It was the only time that the club played at the athletics venue, which doesn't have sufficient floodlighting levels to stage football matches.

“We will be making a return to Croydon Sports Arena for the 2021-22 season.  Whilst you’ve all been patiently waiting to leave your homes, we’ve been patiently waiting to be allowed back in.  Thanks for not giving up hope,” said a Croydon statement.