Sevenoaks Town unveil double-winner Micky Collins as their new boss

Hadlow-resident Collins is well known in most football circles firstly as a very successful striker and most recently for guiding Erith & Belvedere to a Kent League and Cup double, securing them promotion to the Ryman League Division One North twelve months ago.

Chairman Paul Lansdale, who stands down as manager after one season next weekend, said in a statement, which was posted on the club’s website www.sevenoakstownfc.co.uk at 11 o’clock this morning, said: “I have known Micky for many years and his son used to play for our junior section until he progressed onto the books of a professional club’s academy. 

“Back in 2010 we both started to discuss the future of Sevenoaks Town FC and it was clear that we had the same vision and philosophy for the whole club. However, at that time things were not in place so it was not possible to pursue our plans.

“This has been the club’s first season where the senior and junior sections have been run as one club. We had a lot of work to to do when we took over including £50,000 of drainage work last summer, integrating the senior and junior sections, continuing to engage with the local community and raising our profile and reputation.

“However, the work is far from over with a further £10,000 being spent on Greatness Park this summer.

“I am absolutely delighted that everything we have both been discussing and working towards over the past four years is now in place and Micky is taking charge of our first team. 

“Micky Collins joins us on a three year contract. He has a proven track record and this appointment underlines the ambition and vision we have at this wonderful club.

“We are totally committed to giving him and his staff everything they need so we can fulfil our long term plans for the team but most importantly the club.”

Collins added: “I would like to thank the committee for giving me the opportunity to manage Sevenoaks Town FC.

“The club is close to my heart and having helped the committee with some of the work behind the scenes it’s an honour to sign a three year contract with an option, which sees me here until at least 2017.

“Paul approached me a while ago and to see a club with such a forward thinking plan is so refreshing.

“These are exciting times for the club and hopefully I can add to that with a professional approach to the first team whilst also helping with the ongoing integration of the fantastic junior section into one club with the same goal and also continuing to help the club’s committee towards the new facilities being introduced at Greatness Park.”

Sevenoaks Town are in the bottom two in the Southern Counties East Football League table with 5 wins, 5 draws and 20 defeats, welcome their local rivals Tunbridge Wells to Greatness Park at 3pm today.

Martin Larkin’s side are in third-place in the table, thirteen points adrift of league leaders Whyteleafe, who will clinch the title if they collect at least a point over second-placed Ashford United at Church Road today.

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website:  www.sevenoakstownfc.co.uk

Sevenoaks Town  v  Tunbridge Wells
Southern Counties East Football League
Easter Monday 21st April 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Greatness Park, Seal Road, Mill Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5BX