Hastings job is ultimately my last chance to be involved in football management, says John Maggs

JOHN MAGGS has parted company with Tonbridge Angels after two months as general manager to have one last throw of the dice in football management at Hastings United.

The Ryman League Division One South club were looking for a new manager after Sean Ray resigned on the eve of the new season earlier in the month.

Maggs should require little by way of introduction to Sussex based non-league supporters, after a playing and managerial career that has spanned over fifty years, and that was recognised by the award of the Football Association Medal in March 2013.

At the time, he was coming towards the end of a twelve month spell in charge at Crawley Down Gatwick, having initially joined the Anvils as assistant manager in the summer of 2011, helping them reach the final of the Sussex Senior Cup for the first time.

In his playing days, Maggs was a one-time England Schoolboys International goalkeeper of great renown, joining Crawley Town in 1963 and going on to set the west Sussex side's all-time appearance record with over 700 to his credit.

Seven years after retiring as a player, he stepped up to manage the Reds in 1987 and stayed at the helm for thirteen seasons, combining his duties with those of club chairman towards the end of his tenure.

After thirty-seven years at Town Mead, Maggs moved on to Horsham, where he spent the next eleven seasons, leading the Hornets to two promotions and to the second round of the FA Cup in 2007.   

Financial issues arising from the sale of the club's former Queen Street ground eventually led to Maggs' departure, and since his two year stint at Crawley Down ended, occupied a general manager position for The Skrill South (Conference South) club Tonbridge Angels.

Hastings were under caretaker stewardship of Terry White and Mark Stapley for their opening five league games.

Hastings United chairman Dave Walters told www.hastingsunitedf.co.uk:  "We are delighted to have secured the services of such an experienced and well respected manager as John, and are looking forward to working with him and to taking the club forward.”

After a short-two month period in the role of developing Tonbridge Angels’ commercial activities, Maggs admitted on the club’s website that he had to leave to leave to have one last go at management.

He said: “I was extremely fortunate to have been appointed a fantastic job with Tonbridge Angels FC, which for the record is a truly wonderful club.

“I find myself with an unexpected opportunity to manage a club competing in the Ryman South.  This is ultimately my last chance to be involved in football management and I feel it is an opportunity I just cannot refuse.”

Tonbridge Angels chairman Steve Churcher added: “Obviously, John’s resignation is a surprise after a short period in the job for the Angels, but I can understand his desire to have one final throw of the dice at football management.

“However, our search for his replacement has already begun and we remain on target to meet our commercial objectives.”

Maggs also leaves his role as groundsman at Longmead Stadium.

Visit Hastings United’s website: www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk