FC Elmstead: We hope Marc Bentz will move us onto the next level

FABIO ROSSI has decided to step-down as FC Elmstead manager to move upstairs.

The club have decided to make the change yesterday with the club sitting in 12^th place in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division table, with a league playing record of three wins, a draw and four defeats.

FC Elmstead have appointed former Orpington manager Marc Bentz, who started the season as a coach and third in command at Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side AFC Croydon Athletic.

“After two years as caretaker manager and the team fully established in the SCEFL First Division, we felt it was time for a change,” said Rossi.

“We hope Marc Bentz will move us onto the next level.

“I will be moving upstairs as general manager and Marc will take full control of the players.

“We have asked Marc to get us into The FA Cup for next season so we are looking for a return of 1.65 points per game for this season.  Following on from that we hope we can establish ourselves in the top eight.”

On 3 September, after leaing AFC Croydon Athletic, Bentz tweeted: “Already bored. Need a new challenge.  Looking for manager or assistant manager position for this season from October.

“I can’t do number three, I need more input.  I’ve got too experience just to be coaching and they could not offer me what I wanted unfortunately.”

On his appointment at FC Elmstead, Bentz said: “I’m just busy appointing my management team at the moment so need to make that my priority.”

Bentz's first game in charge of FC Elmstead is a trip to Phoenix Sports Reserves on Saturday (15:00), a side that are a couple of places lower in the table, with a playing record of two wins and two draws from their opening eight league outings.

Meanwhile, Rochester United, who are struggling at the foot of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table, have appointed former Holmesdale boss Ian Varley as their new manager today.

The club are without a league win in six games, drawing two and losing the rest.