Ford beats competition to land football advisory role at Deres

Passionate Ford, who has lengthy Kent League experience, having previously managed VCD Athletic and Slade Green, was today appointed to work alongside joint-managers Radbourne and Paul Gorman in a “football advisory role”.

Radbourne, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, on the eve of the club’s home FA Vase tie against Sidley United, admitted appointing Ford was a “brave decision” - but he stood by his own personal decision to make the appointment.

“I had a short list of three, but chose Ford,” said Radbourne.

“I ran it past the chairman and he got back to me 24 hours later.

“You do what you feel is best for you.  I’ve brought him in to work alongside me.  Brave decision? I’m the manager and I have the final decisions.  Only time will tell!”

Erith & Belvedere go into tomorrow’s FA Vase first qualifying round tie, knowing things must improve for the Deres, who yet again, have underperformed.

A club that have Conference South facilities should not be struggling in the bottom seven of the Bulmers Cider Kent League table - and Radbourne and Gorman agree.

The Deres have a record of just one win and two defeats from their opening three league games to the season and have already been knocked out of the FA Cup.

“We now need to regroup and get back to doing the things which we all saw against Sandhurst and Deal Town,” Radbourne added.

“We have some very good players at the club who we feel are underachieving at the moment, and so it’s our job to get them playing to their full potential.

“We have a nice little run of fixtures coming up; and we are hoping for maximum results.  Everyone in our changing room, and that includes me and Paul, is fighting for a place at the club.  I’ve told the boys no-one’s place is safe.”

Gorman, also under pressure, knows his side must perform tomorrow, to get their season back on track.

“We know that Sidley will provide us with a difficult game,” Gorman told www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk.

“The players have under-performed in the last couple of matches and we need to put in a good performance on Sunday to get ourselves back on track.

“The supporters also deserve better than what’s been served up lately.”

Some quotes are also courtesy of www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk