Erith & Belvedere's new directors looking to the future with great optimism despite suffering on the pitch

ERITH & BELVEDERE have continued with their policy of bringing former players into the boardroom.

The club have slumped to the foot of the Sea Pioneer Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division table having extended their winless run to seven games.

Stuart Webb came in as interim manager following the departure of manager Owen Jones and his entre squad on Sunday 26 January and the club suffered some heavy beatings.

Lordswood came away from Park View Road with a 4-0 win in Webb’s first game in charge, before Erith & Belvedere suffered a 7-0 defeat at K Sports, a 7-2 home defeat to Welling Town before promotion-chasing Chatham Town thrashed the Deres 8-1 on 25 February.

The club appointed former Phoenix Sports and Stansfeld reserve team manager Del Oldfield on Sunday 1 March and he suffered a baptism of fire on Tuesday night, suffering a 10-0 defeat at another promotion-chasing side in Corinthian in his first game in charge.

Erith & Belvedere have 19 points from their 27 league games, level on points with Crowborough Athletic, who have a game in hand, and the Deres have nine games remaining to avoid returning to the First Division at the first attempt.

The club have appointed Adrian Deane as their new chairman.

A former Irish under-21 International, Deane made 159 appearances for the Deres between 2006-14, scoring 39 goals.

Paul Springett will be in charge of marketing and PR.

Springett made 144 appearances for the club between 2012-16 and scored nine goals for the club.

James Lyons will be charge of the bar, catering and events at Park View Road and made 33 appearances for the club, scoring three goals from midfield during the 2010-11 season.

Sam Prett will be assisting treasurer Mike Murtagh with financial matters.

Prett scooped the Manager’s Player-of-the-Year during the 2008-09, having top-scored for the side with 22 goals.  He scored a total of 30 goals in 56 appearances for the club.

Meanwhile, club historian and long-standing supporter Brian Spurrell steps aside after being interim chairman for the past month to take on the role of secretary.

A club statement said on the club website: “The new-look board of directors is in place at Erith & Belvedere and they’re looking to the future with great optimism.

“The transitional phase may have been difficult on the pitch but with new sponsors and a variety of ideas for energising Park View Road, there will be plenty happening to give the club a bright future.

“What’s more, the new directors have distinguished themselves as players in recent years.

“Brian Spurrell, alongside Mike Murtagh, have steered the club through a very awkward period, but all the board are now focused on the future.”

Erith & Belvedere are scheduled to face Canterbury City at Park View Road on Saturday 7 March (15:00).

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