Tompkins' unveiled as Croydon's new manager

CROYDON have finally announced that Mark Tompkins has been appointed their new manager, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tompkins informed www.kentishfootball.co.uk yesterday by text message that he took over the reigns from Dickson Gill - the club’s chairman - last Friday.

But the Surrey club, currently sitting in seventh place in the Kent League table with six points from three games, confirmed the news yesterday, putting to an end days of speculation.

“Croydon are pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Tompkins as first team manager, replacing Dickson Gill, who will now concentrate on his role as chairman of the football club,” said the statement, published on www.croydon-fc.co.uk.

“Mr Tompkins is the ideal candidate for this responsible position. He has vast experience of the Kent League as a player and was the manager of a successful Erith Town side until just before the start of this season.

“The decision was made before last Saturday’s defeat in the FA Cup, when Mr Gill’s long term plans were accelerated by his continuing ill health.”

Mr Gill admitted appointing Tompkins, who signed for the club as a player following his sudden departure from Erith Town on the eve of the new season, is a good move for the club.

“I think I’ve got the right man for the job,” Mr Gill told www.croydon-fc.co.uk. “Mark knows this league and had a good start to his managerial career at Erith Town.

“It’s common knowledge that my health hasn’t been too good for a while and I haven’t got the energy to do the job in the way I would want to.

“Croydon have come a long way in recent years and hopefully we are now in a position to move forward on the pitch as well as off it.

“I am giving Mark free reign to stamp his personality on the team, I am sure he has his own ideas and will bring in some fresh faces as and when he thinks fit.”

Visit Croydon’s website: www.croydon-fc.co.uk

Greenwich Borough v Croydon
Bulmers Cider Kent League
Saturday 6^th September 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Harrow Meadow, Eltham Green Road, Eltham, London SE9 6BA