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Taylor can offer a good package

FOLLOWING seven years loyal service at Eden Park Avenue, Jason Taylor has admitted it was  time to leave the club in pursuit of a first team manager's job, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 41-year-old from Catford, had five years in charge of Beckenham Town's reserve team before being appointed assistant manager to long serving boss Kevin Sugrue.

But after showdown talks with Sugrue and the club's committee, Taylor felt it was time to leave and start searching for a job in the hot-seat after being denied a chance at his current club.

"The reason I left was I wanted to take over the first team manager's job, " Taylor revealed.  "I spoke to Kevin (Sugrue) about it, he's been there seventeen years and I asked him if I could take over next year.

"He's not ready to step down so I felt I went as far as I could and decided to resign."

Taylor insisted he had a very good package for the club, but now he has been denied that opportunity, he will take it elsewhere

"I approached Kevin and the committee and I wanted to fetch in Grant Watts as my assistant,"  Taylor revealed.

Watts, who lives in Beckenham, is a former Crystal Palace striker and ended the season with his home town club mainly on the substitutes bench.  He also has Ryman League experience with Croydon and Bromley, where he was assistant manager under former manager Stuart McIntyre.

"We had players lined up and a coach from Dulwich Hamlet - Billy Watson - who coached their under 18s to the Kent Youth League title.

"I had these people lined up but Kevin wanted to carry on so you have to respect his decision.

"I want to stay in the game and I am looking to get a job as soon as possible.  My name has been linked with other clubs but I'll wait and see if something comes along in the summer," said Taylor.

Taylor doesn't mind which level he manages with but will bring Watts and Walton along with him with the players they wanted to play for Beckenham Town next season.

"Grant has lots of experience in the Ryman League and we can attract players from the highest standard," revealed Taylor.

"They wanted to come to Beckenham Town but that isn't going to happen now.  We felt we could move Beckenham on, they are a club wanting to go, and I wanted to take them forward.

"They've waited a long time for success and I think I could have brought it to them.

"Grant and I want to work together, we've got the same ideas and we know a lot of players.

"The Kent League is a competitive league, we'd like to manage at that level, but if we have to drop down a standard then we will."

Taylor, a central midfielder in his playing days, spent five years playing for Dartford under Peter Taylor before wearing the colours of Canterbury City.

Beckenham Town's secretary, Peter Palmer, however, is sad to see Taylor leave the club.

"Jason has been an extremely loyal servant to the club and when you lose someone of his stature its always a great shame.

"But naturally Jason has his own ambitions in the game and it's understandable that he should want to progress further."