Holmesdale appoint Reece Parara and Simon Beard as Andy Constable moves upstairs in director of football role at Oakley Road

HOLMESDALE have appointed Reece Parara and Simon Beard as joint-managers yesterday.

 

Andy Constable, who guided the Bromley based outfit to a sixteenth-placed (bottom six) finish in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division last season, has moved upstairs in a director of football role.

“We are pleased to announce some changes to the on-field management structure at the club,” said a club statement.

“Andy Constable will move into the director of football role, with Reece Parara and Simon Beard taking over as the new management duo in charge of the club’s senior team.

“Reece and Simon, who had been leading Welling United’s impressive under 23 side last season, will also be joined by goalkeeping coach Kieran Gooding, with the aim being to build on the solid foundations that have been laid at Dale over the previous 12 months.”

Welling United’s under 23s played their home games at Oakley Road last season and Constable has welcomed the trio to the club.

“Really exciting for everyone at the club to bring in Reece and Beardo,” said Constable.

“Personally, I’m looking forward to the challenge of the new role that I’ll take on at the club and will be supporting the new management team to try and improve on the previous season’s performance.”

Holmesdale have a reputation of giving young players their first chance in the game to shine in the ninth-tier.

Centre-half Ethan Pinnock – now playing in the Premier League for Brentford – spent time on loan at Holmesdale while at Dulwich Hamlet earlier on in his career.

Snodland Town, meanwhile, eighth-placed finishers in Luke Wallond’s final season in charge of the club, have appointed Bryon Walker as their new manager.

It will be the winger’s first job in management as Snodland Town go into their second campaign in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, with a reduced budget than last season.

There will be 20 club’s in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division and 18 in the First Division next season.

Beckenham Town have been given a reprieve and will retain their Isthmian League South East Division status, despite finishing in the relegation zone last season.  Erith & Belvedere return to the ninth-tier after finishing bottom of the table.

Adam Woodward’s Erith Town – winners of the Kent Senior Trophy, Challenge Cup and penalty shoot-out winners over Corinthian in the Play-Off Final – have been allocated a place in the 22 club Isthmian League South East Division.

Bearsted, Corinthian, Erith & Belvedere, Faversham Town, Fisher, Glebe, Hollands & Blair, Holmesdale, Kennington, Larkfield & New Hythe, Lordswood, Lydd Town, Punjab United, Rusthall, Snodland Town, Stansfeld, Sutton Athletic, Tunbridge Wells, VCD Athletic and Whitstable Town will be in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division next season.

Danny Lye’s Larkfield & New Hythe will be playing at this level for the first time, after beating Staplehurst Monarchs 1-0 in the First Division Play-Off Final.

The First Division, meanwhile, welcomes Kent County League Premier Division winners Halls Athletic – who play their home games at Erith Sports Stadium, the former ground of Erith Town - while Clapton, Clapton Community and Tower Hamlets will be playing in the division.

Bridon Ropes, Canterbury City, Clapton, Clapton Community, Croydon, Faversham Strike Force, FC Elmstead, Forest Hill Park, Halls Athletic, Lewisham Borough Community, Meridian VP, Rochester United, Sheppey Sports (formelly K Sports), Sporting Club Thamesmead, Staplehurst Monarchs, Tooting Bec, Tower Hamlets and Welling Town.

Greenways have been relegated to the Kent County League Premier Division.