Our facilities, in my opinion, are the best in the league and this is massively going to help with our prep to challenge for the league, says newly-appointed Sporting Club Thamesmead manager Jason Long

SPORTING CLUB THAMESMEAD’S newly-appointed manager Jason Long says he is feeling excited about his new chapter in his life.

Long took temporary charge of the club for their last six games of their Southern Counties East Football League First Division campaign – winning once and losing three – after Joe Ford fell seriously ill on Friday 29 March.

Long works within the Academy at Vanarama National League South side Dartford and says he will take that experience into the tenth-tier of English football for the amateur Sporting Club Thamesmead, whom finished in ninth-place last season.

“A very exciting time and new chapter as I look to step into my first management job at senior team football after being given the job at Sporting Club Thamesmead,” said Long.

“I am thankful for Joe Ford for all his hard work and learning at the club last season.  He is a very good friend and I really hope he can recover to full health.  I still can’t get over this and just hope he recovers soon. 

“This left the club without a manager and I felt it was the right time to continue to manage these superb lads that are now my friends and hope them on their footballing journeys.

“I am excited to take this management job as this links in well with my management/coaching role with the Dartford FC Academy under 19s and the first team giving the boys a platform for men’s football in their progress to make it to professional levels.

“I have worked with some extremely talented footballers who have made a massive impact in the game and made it into the professional game and know I can take this coaching and management experience into men’s football.

“I have had lots of kind messages wishing me all the best in this line of work and I am sure Sporting Club Thamesmead will do very well with the current group of players I have a the club and the new lads that I am looking to bring in.

“Our facilities, in my opinion, are the best in the league and this is massively going to help with our prep to challenge for the league.

“I have got winners at this club as well as having a supportive board in Lee Hills, Sam Taylor and Mark to support the club through next season.”

The Acre report back for pre-season training on Tuesday 25 June, before welcoming a side from Dartford to Bayliss Avenue (3G pitch) on Saturday 29 June.

“I would like to thank Jamie Coyle for helping arrange this,” added Long.

“If you would like to be a part of a professional, positive and together club, which will be hard working, I would love to talk to you and see if you’re right for our club moving forwards.”

Visit Sporting Club Thamesmead’s website:
www.pitchero.com/clubs/sportingclubthamesmeadfc