This was an opportunity that I couldn't turn down, says Corinthian's new boss James Collins

JAMES COLLINS says becoming the new manager of Corinthian was an opportunity that he couldn’t turn down.



Collins, 31, was in charge of Sutton Athletic for one season, guiding the Hextable-based club to third-place in the Kent Invicta League as well as winning the Pain & Glory Sports Kent Invicta League Challenge Trophy and Hospitals Charity Cup.

However, Matt Longhurst, 33, quit Corinthian hours after their 2-0 defeat to Beckenham Town in the Macron Southern Counties East Football League Challenge Cup Final at Bromley’s Hayes Lane ground on 5 May.

Longhurst was unveiled as the new manager of Erith & Belvedere, who like Corinthian will be playing Southern Counties East Football League football next season.

The Deres suffered relegation after finishing rock bottom in their inaugural Ryman League Division One North campaign.

Collins, meanwhile, was unveiled as Corinthian’s new manager on 19 May.

“I feel honoured that the club chose me to be their next manager,” said Collins.

“When you drive into the ground you can’t help but be impressed by the surroundings.  They represent everything that I love about football.  The people there are good, honest people and I am really looking forward to working with them.”

It appears that Longhurst will entice players with him to Park View Road, whilst Collins must start to re-build, without a playing budget, blooding youngsters from their successful youth and reserve team ranks.

He said: “Matt did a fantastic job and I realise that I have a tough act to follow but it’s one I am looking forward to.

“It is a bit of a re-building job so it will be somewhat of a new look Corinthian side next season.

“We will be adding some new faces to compliment the existing players whilst intergrating the talented reserve and under 18 players into the squad, which I believe with a lot of hard work will help to carry on the club progressing.”

Collins was appointed as Erith Town’s reserve team manager back in June 2010 when Steve O’Boyle (now joint-manager alongside Tony Beckingham at Phoenix Sports) was the club’s first team manager.

Collins was promoted as the club’s first team manager in October 2012 when Tony Russell left the club to take charge of VCD Athletic.

The pair have remained friends ever since and Collins was full of praise for Sutton Athletic for giving him a chance to impress.

He said: “I would also like to thank Sutton for the opportunity they gave me. We had an amazing 12 months. As a club we came on leaps and bounds. 

“I wouldn’t have left for any other club.  The club is on the rise and 100% going in the right direction. I wish them nothing but the best for the future. 

“This was just an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”

Visit Corinthian’s website:  www.pitchero.com/clubs/corinthianfc

Visit Sutton Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/suttonathletic