Lordswood unveil Richard Styles as their new manager

LORDSWOOD have today unveiled Richard Styles, 29, as their new manager.

The Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division club appointed the 29-year-old as their new boss after James Collins quit to manage their league rivals Cray Valley on 22 May after guiding them to a club personal best of a fourth-placed finish.



BOSS: Richard Styles made 105 appearances for Lordswood as a player

Styles is no stranger to Lordswood having played for the club for four seasons between 2010 and 2014, making 105 appearances and scoring three goals during his time at Martyn Grove.

He represented the side during arguably it’s most successful ever season when Lordswood reached the Kent Senior Trophy Final, finished fifth in the League and made it to the FA Vase Fourth Round losing to Spennymoor Town, who went on to lift the silverware at Wembley after beating Tunbridge Wells 2-1.

Styles’ playing career has also seen him play for Chatham Town, Herne Bay, Sittingbourne, Erith & Belvedere and Tonbridge Angels as well as spending some time in the USA playing for New England Revolution.

Styles is a coach at the elite Charlton Athletic development centre and is also Academy manager at Players Football Academy (PFA) development and advanced centres.

During the 2013-14 season he worked as a conditioning coach for Chelsea Ladies first team in the Women’s Super League.

Most recently Styles was on the coaching staff at Erith Town with Martin and Joe Ford during last season. 

Dan Morrin has been appointed assistant manager.

A club statement said: “We would like to welcome Richard back to the club. He spent a very good four years with us previously and has a great passion for football and Lordswood itself.

“We look forward to working with him to develop the club further and wish him the best of luck in his new role.”

The statement added: “We would also like to express our thanks to those who applied for the role and attended interviews this week.”

Meanwhile, League rivals Erith Town have appointed Gary Abbott as their first team coach. 

The club appointed former Greenwich Borough pair Ian Jenkins and Ricky Bennett as joint-managers last month after the Ford pairing left.

The Dockers have also appointed Myles Warren as their new reserve team boss, his assistant is his brother Kris, while Warren Carver is their coach.

Visit Lordswood’s website: www.lordswoodfc.co.uk