My acting chairman hasn’t put any undue pressure on us but just wants us to compete and consolidate the first season or two and build the club up to where it used to be and go from there, says Erith & Belvedere boss Owen Jones

ERITH & BELVEDERE manager Owen Jones says he hasn’t been put under any undue pressure from acting chairman Mick Cooper.

 

The Deres celebrated winning promotion back to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division after a two-year absence after finishing runners-up to Welling Town by just a point last season.

Jones also guided the Welling-based club to glory in both the London Senior Trophy and Hospital Charity Senior Cup, after beating Bridon Ropes and Sutton Athletic respectively.

Jones takes his side to Aylesford tomorrow to tackle K Sports, who parted company with their long-serving manager Kris Browning and his assistant manager Graham Martin on 25 July, just nine days before the start of the season.

The Aylesford based club have tonight announced that former chairman Paul Atkins has been appointed caretaker manager, taking charge of the club on Wednesday night.

“We are expecting a very tough test. We know K Sports have changed managers and sometimes that upsets the preparation of a team,” said Jones.

“This might just be the right time to play them but then again it could be the wrong time.

“Sometimes when a new gaffer comes in it raises the team as the players all try to prove themselves and impress the new man.

“We know K Sports are a big strong physical side, they will battle for every ball right to the very end.

“I think we have had a good pre-season, taking away the Sporting Club Thamesmead game, I think we played well against Phoenix Sports, Herne Bay and VCD Athletic.  I think we were unlucky not to beat both Phoenix and VCD, so I know we are capable of competing.”

When asked about the clubs aspirations for the season ahead, Jones replied: “Mick Cooper hasn’t put any undue pressure on us but just wants us to compete and consolidate the first season or two and build the club up to where it used to be and go from there.

“I would like to wish chairman John McFadden all the best in his fight-back to full-health and wish Mick Cooper all the best in his new role.”

Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.clubbuzz.co.uk

Erith & Belvedere  v  K Sports
Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division
Saturday 3 August 2019
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY