Mitchell makes Herne Bay skipper O'Connor his first signing - EXCLUSIVE

New Lordswood manager Shawn Mitchell, 34, has set his sights high as he prepares for his first season in Kent League management, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Strood based ceiling fixer was appointed manager of the Kent League club last Thursday morning, and believes he can guide the Martyn Grove outfit to their highest ever finish next term - without a budget.

And he has already swooped to bolster his squad by prising Herne Bay’s skipper, Ronan O’Connor away from Winch’s Field.

Mitchell spent two seasons at Chatham Town, starting in the successful youth ranks, before moving to Lordswood for one season and then onto Herne Bay for two.

And he is delighted to have been given the opportunity to manage at Kent League level, having previously managed Cliffe based Sunday side Wainscott Arrows and Kent County League side Snodland.

“Managing, all I’ve done really, last season I done Snodland in the Kent County League,” he said in his first EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  

“I took over at Christmas, they were rock bottom, and I just kept them up,” as Snodland escaped the drop by finishing third from bottom in the premier division.

“I done Sunday football the season before. I had two seasons at Wainscott Arrows,” he recalled.

“In the first season we got runners-up in the League and Cup and in my second season, we won the League, League Cup and the Kent Cup and got to the last eight of the FA Sunday Cup.

“I enjoyed my managing spells on the Sunday and at Snodland and I want to make the step up.

“I played Kent League for twelve years and I thought it was the right time to have a crack at management.

“I wanted to improve myself and go a league higher. I know the people at Lordswood as well and pretty familiar with them - I know it’s a good club.”

Mitchell described what his man-management skills are like.

He said: “I’m a good motivator. Tactically, I’m reasonably good - I’m more of a motivating manager.

And Mitchell, who replaces Paul Piggott at the helm, will be making loads of telephone calls this week to discuss players’ futures.

“I will be contacting the players from tomorrow onwards,” he said. “I know there’s some good players there.

“I’ve spoken to seven or eight Kent League players that are coming, established Kent League players.”

And he’s delighted to be able to prise away Herne Bay’s skipper, combative midfielder Ronan O’Connor away from Winch’s Field.

“He’s going to sign for me, that’s a definite for me,” he announced.

“Ronan is like how I used to play - a hard working midfield player. He’s a winner and that’s what you need in this League.”

And Mitchell is expecting to hit the ground running during his first season as manager of the Medway side.

“The aims for the new season is to get a good squad together and push for a top five place in the Kent League,” he said.

“I know the Kent League inside out. I know local players, I’ve only just finished playing so I’m still in a good circuit of players still.”

But Lordswood are a club that have to produce their own players, and Mitchell is giving home-grown talent the chance to shine at first team level.

“There’s no budget,” he revealed. “I know what I was taking on when I applied for the job.

“I know Lordswood haven’t got no money, as yet. I’m looking for a top five and a good Cup run.

“I want a strong reserve side so we can pick players from there as well and we’ve got two good under 18 sides as well.

“I’ve heard there’s some good youth boys in the under 18s coming into men’s football, so I will be looking at them in pre-season as well.

“I want everyone there at training on Tuesday, 10^th July. Everyone’s on an even keel, a clean slate, and (can) push to get into my squad.”