Dulwich Hamlet appoint Bradley Quinton as their new manager

DULWICH HAMLET chairman Ben Clasper has appointed Bradley Quinton as the club’s new manager on a deal to the end of this season.

The 46-year-old has previously managed Enfield Town, Braintree Town, Welling United and Hemel Hempstead Town.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us on and off the pitch as the path to improving results doesn’t start and end with the management team and the players,” said Mr Clasper in a statement posted yesterday.

“We believe there are other areas of the club where there are opportunities to improve how we are structured and how we function that will better prepare us for competing in this league and the one above.

“The board therefore took the decision to prioritise the appointment of someone who will assume responsibility for managing the team for the remainder of the season with a focus solely on improving results in the short term and getting the best out of a talented squad.

“This will then afford the board the time to complete its review of how to address some of the other issues in time to plan for next season and beyond, issues that we believe have contributed to the club’s under-performance in recent years.

“Through speaking and meeting with many candidates over the past week, it became clear that Bradley has what we believe it will take to come into a challenging situation from his experience in this division to his time working within a fan owned club (Enfield Town) and we were further encouraged by the feedback from those who have worked and played for him.

“His success with Braintree at the level above (National League South) was also a bonus but our focus today is performing to the best of our ability in the Isthmian Premier as we know what this team is capable of achieving and believe Bradley is best place to realise that potential.”

Quinton has replaced former Maidstone United National League South title winning manager Hakan Heyritten, who lost his job on Tuesday 7 January.

The 54-year-old reflected his time in charge of the hipster club, who travel to second-placed Billericay Town tomorrow.

“Managing in front of packed houses at Champion Hill was genuinely an honour,” Heyrettin said in a statement.

“A football club, especially this football club, is more than the sum of its parts.  We love football not just for the emotions it creates but also the togetherness, unity of purpose and going on the journey together.

“Ultimately our results this season were not anywhere near what me and my staff demand and expect of ourselves let alone what we wanted to deliver for the supporters.

“I will, however, always be proud about the unity and togetherness we were able to foster and which I’ve no doubt will pay dividends for the club in the future.

“I will personally always remember everyone’s kindness when I lost my mum shortly after joining the club.

“Ultimately, I am accountable for the results. I was never one to shirk a challenge or responsibility in my playing days and neither do I as a manager.

“I don’t do excuses and I’m proud that the players didn’t use circumstances as an excuse either.

“This is an amazing club with tremendous values, supporters, staff and volunteers.

“No one wanted to bring success to this fantastic football club more than me and my staff, which is why we worked incredibly hard from day one.

“I sincerely hope that the foundations laid over these last 20 months will contribute to the successes to come.”

The Hamlet are in fifteenth-place in the Isthmian League Premier Division table, having picked up eight wins, five draws and 12 defeats this term.

Dulwich Hamlet have won just one of their last 11 league games are five points clear of the relegation zone, which contains Whitehawk, Hastings United, Bowers & Pitsea and Bognor Regis Town.

Visit Dulwich Hamlet’s website: www.dulwichhamletfc.co.uk