Glebe appoint Luke Rooney as their new manager

GLEBE chairman Rocky McMillan has appointed Luke Rooney as the clubs new manager.

The Chislehurst-based outfit parted company with interim co-managers Dan Hogan and Adam Flemming on Saturday evening, despite guiding the club to its highest ever finish of third-place in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, finishing 21 points adrift of the league champions after 38 league games.

The pair took interim-charge on 20 February after Harry Hudson departed to guide Sevenoaks Town towards Isthmian League South East Division safety.

Rooney, 31, took temporary charge of league rivals Erith & Belvedere after the club parted company with joint-managers Danny Murphy and Marlon Patterson after their 10-1 defeat at Chatham Town on 9 April.

Rooney was in charge of three games, a 3-2 home defeat to Erith Town, a 1-1 draw at Holmesdale and a final day 4-4 draw at Rusthall on Saturday, which maintained Jimmy Anderson’s side’s status in the division.

“The club is delighted to announce that Luke Rooney is the new first-team manager for the coming season with Joe Minter joining him as assistant manager,” said a Glebe statement.

“Luke and Joe are very much looking forward to getting started and we wish them every success in their new roles.”

Erith & Belvedere are now inviting applications for the managerial vacancy at Park View Road, stating that Luke Rooney has “done a fantastic job as interim manager.”

All interested parties should contact paul_springett@hotmail.co.uk and brian.spurrell@yahoo.com.

Erith & Belvedere finished in sixth-place in the table co-owner Paul Springett says he has high hopes for next season, now that big-hitters Sheppey United and Chatham Town have won promotion into the Isthmian League after finishing the campaign on 102 and 100 points respectively.

“Top six finish for the club, which isn’t bad for our first full season since taking over.

“We obviously wanted promotion but we couldn’t lay a glove on the big hitters (Sheppey United and Chatham Town).

“Our crowds are up, club is improving week-by-week.  Roll on next season where we will have a real crack at it.”

Minter was part of the coaching staff at Stansfeld, who celebrated winning the Southern Counties East Football League First Division title without a playing budget and will join their tenants Glebe in ninth-tier of English football next season.