1stnov03

Handford leaves Gravesend
Nationwide Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet have announced that assistant-manager Phil Handford has left Stonebridge Road by mutual consent.

Chief Executive Glenn Aitken said: "Phil has done a great job in his time with us. He is an excellent coach and a nice guy.

"However, he feels it is time for him to move on. Everyone at the club wishes him well in the future."

The Fleet have moved quickly from within to replace Handford by appointing former Gillingham defender Adrian Pennock as Ford's number two.

A vastly experienced defender, Pennock joined Gravesend in January 2003 after being forced to quit the full-time game at Gillingham through injury.

He started his career with Norwich and went on to make over 300 League appearances for the Canaries, Bournemouth and Gills.

Pennock sat alongside manager Andy Ford in the dug-out for the first time in Tuesday's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round replay win against Exeter City.

Meanwhile, Fleet have now reached an agreement with Nationwide League Second Division side Queens Park Rangers to keep midfielder Ben Walshe at Stonebridge Road for the rest of the season

www.gnfc.co.uk