Lordswood chairman Ray Broad appoints Callum O'Shea caretaker manager for the foreseeable future

LORDSWOOD chairman Ray Broad has appointed former player Callum O’Shea as caretaker manager for the foreseeable future.

The Southern Counties East Football League First Division club saw Scott Porter step down from the role after only 18 games in charge of the club on 28 September.

“Callum is an ex-Lordswood player, who has captained the club. He has been an assistant manager at Steps Five and Six in the past.  He will be supported by the existing coaching staff,” said Mr Broad in a statement.

“Callum will take charge starting with this week’s League fixture away to Welling Town.  We wish Callum all the best.”

Porter wasn’t given enough time (seven games) to prevent the club suffering it’s first relegation, as the club's 29-year stay in the Kent League/Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division came to an end. 

The club currently sit in sixth-place in the tenth-tier league table, having picked up 18 points (five wins, three draws and three defeats) from their 11 games.

Local rivals Rochester United – who humiliated Lordswood 9-0 in Porter’s penultimate game in charge – are top of the tree with maximum points from their opening nine games.

The four play-off spots are currently held by AFC Greenwich Borough (25 points from nine games), Tooting Bec (23 points from 11), SE Dons (22 points from nine) and Greenways (22 points from eight) - sides that rent Holmesdale, Chipstead, Chatham Town and Rochester United to play their home games.

Broad and his coaching staff (including Michael Dodsworth) took charge of a 4-0 win at Sheppey Sports before losing 4-1 at their league rivals FC Elmstead in the Kent Senior Trophy First Round at the weekend.

Hosts Welling Town welcome Lordswood to Erith Sports Stadium, Avenue Road, sitting in the bottom five with seven points (two wins, one draw and six defeats) to their name and O’Shea will meet the squad for the first time at tonight’s training session.