I think next year is going to be a lot harder than this year, admits Ebbsfleet United boss Daryl McMahon

EBBSFLEET UNITED newly-appointed manager Daryl McMahon says he is delighted to get the manager’s job at Stonebridge Road.

It was a testing campaign for The Fleet, who had to settle for a disappointing eighth-place finish with 60 points from 40 games in the Vanarama Conference South.

McMahon, who also had a brief spell playing for runners-up Boreham Wood in the run-in, is also Academy manager at the Kent club and he took charge of four first team games in two spells, winning three and drawing the other after the club parted company with Steve Brown and former Welling United boss Jamie Day.

But the trio could not get the club up to the rebranded Vanarama National League and the Southern Division will be a very strong division next season with relegated Dartford and Ryman Premier League champions Maidstone United competing for the title – and so will Margate if they get through the delayed Ryman Premier League play-offs.

“Delighted to get the job, it’s a big job,” said McMahon, 31.

“I’ve had most jobs here now, player captain, Academy manager, I’ve been caretaker manager, so I’m looking forward to it.

“I’m looking forward to next season so hopefully we can compete at the top of the table.

“There’s big expectations at the club. Everyone knows what’s expected of the club. Everyone knows what’s happening at the club.

“We’ll probably do it a slightly different way next year in terms it will be a lot more stable than we have been this year.

“There won’t be 10-12 changes to the playing staff like there has been this year.

“We’ll look to develop players rather than buy loads of players in like what’s been happening before.”

McMahon will see at first hand some of the Academy’s talented young players, who have been shipped out to Ryman League clubs to gain first team experience.

“I’ll still oversee the Academy,” said the Dublin born midfielder.

“Four of them training with the first team and have been doing very well.

“Four have been playing for the first team since Steve Brown left the club and the other first team players are very impressed with what we’ve got in the Academy so that bodes well for the future for us.”

Ebbsfleet United finished 17 points behind champions Bromley, who won the title on 77 points from 40 games, and the Fleet finished 10 points adrift of fifth-placed Havant & Waterlooville.

“I think next year is going to be a lot harder than it was this year,” admitted McMahon.

“It’s very Kent based as well so it makes it harder in terms of derbies and stuff like that.

“Sutton will invest again like they always do so they will be a difficult team again. Concord only just missed out and have grown every season and they’ve got a good set up down there so it’s going to be a hard season.”

Meanwhile, the club have announced that former Welling United and Barnet central defender Anthony Acheampong, 25, has signed a contract extension to remain at Stonebridge Road until June 2016.

Visit Ebbsfleet United’s website: www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk