Tooting Bec boss Matt Hancock brings in Reece Turner and Gavin Bolger

TOOTING BEC manager Matt Hancock has appointed Reece Turner and Gavin Bolger to his management team.

Chairman Steffan Wells is appealing the decision to switch the club from the Combined Counties League into the Southern Counties East Football League First Division.

Chessington & Hook United, Westside and Tooting Bec will be moving across to the division, which includes clubs in south-east London and Kent.  The furthest trip faced by the new trio will be down to Lydd Town.

“When Matt took the reins in November, he put together a management team of familiar faces,” Wells told the club website.

“Robb Tuvey was soon in the AFC Wimbledon dug-out masterminding their great escape (avoid relegation from League One).

“John O’Connor has moved back into his role as club vice-chairman.  Finally, Paul Golah is pursuing coaching opportunities in the pro game and we wish him well. 

“Gavin and Reece left Raynes Park Vale at the end of the season and having known Gavin for years, it didn’t take long for us to agree for him to join the Bec.

“Gavin will take on the role of first-team coach, having led Raynes Park Vale out of the Combined Counties League Division One and to a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division, this without a playing budget.

“He is looking forward to getting back on the coaching field and helping the squad kick on.

“Gavin also has a long career as a cultured midfielder behind him with spells at AFC Wimbledon, Croydon Athletic, Leatherhead, Walton Casuals and Chertsey Town.

“Gavin was actually signed as a player for Raynes Park Vale by the Bec’s first ever sponsor Ed Cornwell, who was also the manager of the Kings Head pub when we were formed and went on to play and manage at the Bec.

“Reece initially joined Raynes Park Vale as a plyer six years ago before joining the management team for the last two.

“Previously Reece piled his trade in Suffolk as a striker for Felixstowe & Walton United and Woodbridge Town.

“Reece will be Matt’s assistant manager while Terry Tuvey and Andy Mander continue their roles in the management team.

“As a club we are pleased to be joined by two young, yet successful and experienced coaches.  Matt and his team are now busy planning pre-season and looking forward to getting back on the pitch for what we hope is an uninterrupted and successful season.”

Visit Tooting Bec’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/tootingbecfc