Former Bromley management pair back in football

Friday 09th June 2006

Former Bromley joint-managers Billy Smith and George Wakeling have this week been unveiled as the new management team at Ryman League Division One South club Tooting & Mitcham United, writes Stephen McCartney.

In late February, www.kentishfootball.co.uk EXCLUSIVELY revealed Smith, 63, Wakeling, 62 and Frank Coles, 41, were told by Bromley that they would be leaving the Hayes Lane club at the end of the season.

They have since been replaced by former Crystal Palace chairman, Mark Goldberg, Murray Jones and chairman Jerry Dolke, with former Gravesend & Northfleet player Bobby Bowry coming in as player coach.

But Smith has been appointed manager of the Imperial Fields outfit, replacing Richard Cadette, with Wakeling his number two – the same roles the experienced pair had whilst at Carshalton Athletic.

In a statement, Alan Simpson, the chairman of Tooting & Mitcham United, said: “Billy has experience in abundance at this level of football and has managed many successful teams over the years at different levels of the pyramid.

“Billy brings along with him as his assistant George Wakeling, who again has vast experience at this level of the game.

“We are really pleased to get Billy as our manager, his knowledge and passion for non-league football is second to none.

”We fully believe that Billy and his team have the necessary skills to take the club to the next level and beyond and will instil more pride in playing for the badge.”

Tooting & Mitcham finished their campaign in sixth place in the table but their promotion hopes were dashed when they lost 2-0 at Tonbridge Angels in their play-off semi-final at the Betterview Longmead Stadium last month.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk wish them both well.