Whitstable Town unveil Nicky Southall as their new manager

WHITSTABLE TOWN chairman Gary Johnson has today announced that former Gillingham midfielder Nicky Southall has been appointed as the club’s new manager.



Southall, 40, was enticed to the club by former manager Justin Luchford as the club’s new player coach and took charge of team affairs alongside Richard Langley when Luchford parted company with the club on 13 November following the team’s 3-2 defeat at Three Bridges.

Middlesbrough born Southall started his career in the youth ranks at Darlington and played for Hartlepool United, Grimsby Town, Gillingham (four spells), Bolton Wanderers, Norwich City, Nottingham Forest and Dover Athletic.

Langley and Southall oversaw four games in their interim capacities; a 1-0 win over Chipstead; a 2-0 home defeat to Maidstone United in the League Cup; a 3-2 defeat at Tooting & Mitcham United and yesterday’s 2-0 home defeat to fellow strugglers Corinthian-Casuals.

Whitstable Town are presently third-from-bottom in the Ryman League Division One South table, with five wins and a draw from seventeen league games.

The Oystermen are three points above of bottom side Walton Casuals, who occupy the sole relegation place.

Mr Johnson said in a statement: “Nicky Southall has today been appointed the new manager of Whitstable Town; the board having met twice in the last few days to consider the options, decided to appoint former Gills favourite to his first managerial position alongside current interim manager Richard Langley.

“Despite a difficult period and inheriting the previous incumbents players, Southall and Langley are keen to impress upon their new charges the need for greater professionalism, desire and determination such as was shown by yesterday’s man-of-the-match, local boy James Morrish.

“Southall is keen to add to the squad to improve upon the team’s previous fourteenth-place in their inaugural year within the Ryman League, some five seasons ago, whilst Whitstable Town still maintain the ambitions of earlier this season.

“Additionally, Southall and Langley want the club to connect far better within the local community in a further attempt to encourage both business support and increased fan base.

“On behalf of the club I wish to thank those that expressed an interest in managing the club going forward; but this is a fantastic opportunity for Nicky to carve out a role within the club and establish himself in non-league management as Nicky has a wealth of senior football experience and contacts within the game and will be assisted by the experienced Richard Langley whom we believe together could make a formidable partnership.”

Whitstable Town have lost defender Rob Gillman, who returned to Blue Square Bet (Conference) South side Bromley last week.

Whitstable Town travel to Crawley Down Gatwick next Saturday.  John Maggs’ side were defeated 3-0 by Sittingbourne yesterday, which see’s Jim Ward leapfrog over the Sussex side into fourth place, one place above Crawley Down.

Former Crockenhill striker, Ryan Golding, scored his 27^th goal of the season yesterday.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk

Crawley Down Gatwick  v  Whitstable Town
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 8 December 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Haven Sportsfield (Haven Centre), Hophurst Lane, Crawley Down, West Sussex RH10 4LJ