Mark Tompkins' takes up general manager role at Erith Town

ERITH TOWN begin the search for a new manager after Mark Tompkins’ shock decision to stand down at the end of the season to take up the role of general manager at the club.



The Dockers are presently in fifth-place in the Southern Counties East Football League table, with a playing record of 15 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats from their 25 games.

The move has come as a shock because Erith Town defeated league leaders Whyteleafe 5-3 at Church Road last Tuesday, before holding second-placed Ashford United to a 1-1 draw at home yesterday.

The club, who are coming to the end of their first year playing at Cray Valley’s Badgers Sports Ground in Eltham, field two other sides.

Their Suburban League (reserve) side play at the club’s old ground at Erith Sports Stadium at Avenue Road, while a youth team turn out in the Kent Youth League at Slade Green’s former ground, The Small Glen.

Chairman Ian Birrell said: “Just to announce that Mark Tompkins’ yesterday, after the Ashford game announced his intention to step down as manager of the first team at the end of the season.

“He’s going to take up a new role of general manager within the club from the commencement of next season.

“As a result of that, Erith Town will be seeking a new manager.

“The candidate needs to have previous senior football experience and whoever the successful applicant is, he will have overall charge of the three teams, i.e. the first team, reserves and youth team.”

When asked what Tompkins’ role will involve, Mr Birrell said: “He’s going to take up a position of general manager, where I think the plan will be that he will have more of a roving commission between the new first team manager and the three teams. 

“He will be able to and he can be a neutral observer of the reserves and youth team and see who’s likely to make it through to the first team.

“It takes a little bit of pressure off him, he’s been a manager for five or six years’ now.”

Erith Town are not the only Southern Counties East Football League club searching for a new manager at the end of the season.

Landlords Cray Valley are looking for someone to replace Steve Chapman, who announced that he will stand down after three and a half years’ in charge of the club and he too will stay involved at the club behind the scenes.

Erith Town have seven league games remaining, starting with a trip to Bromley to play Holmesdale on Tuesday night.

John-Paul Collier’s side are in eleventh-place in the table with 32 points from 25 games and went down to a crushing 6-0 defeat away to neighbours Beckenham Town yesterday afternoon.

To apply for the Erith Town vacancy please contact Albert Putnan at albertp@opusair.co.uk.

Visit Erith Town’s website:  www.erithtown.co.uk

Holmesdale v Erith Town
Southern Counties East Football League
Tuesday 8^th April 2014
Kick Off 7:45pm
At 68 Oakley Road, Bromley, Kent BR2 8HQ