Have I missed it - yes and no, says Sevenoaks Town boss Simon Jones

SIMON JONES says the prospect of taking charge of Sevenoaks Town again has come as a bit of a shock not least to himself.



The 44-year-old former Oaks boss who stepped down for business and personal reasons returned following Darren Anslow's decision to quit at the weekend.

And while Anslow's departure sparked off a flurry of e-mails and text messages to the Kent League club from potentially interested managers, chairman Tony Smart moved quickly to appoint Jones.

Jones said in a statement, which was published on www.sevenoakstownfc.org: “It was all very unexpected and has probably shocked everybody.

"The fact is though, although I stepped down as first team manager, I haven't been anywhere, because I have been working with the club's juniors at under-14,15, and 16 level.”

Jones is set to join forces again with former assistant Joe Little, who together took the club to their best ever finish - sixth - in the Kent League three seasons ago.

Ex-Oaks midfielder Danny Ward is also set to be part of Jones' management team.

He added: "We had a really enjoyable time then, and we have spoken a lot before, and had pangs of disappointment, thinking what might have happened if we had stayed on.

"Have I missed it - yes and no. You miss being involved when five o'clock comes around every Saturday, but I have been watching lots of other football, and doing some scouting for a Ryman League club, and spending more time with the family.

"My son Andrew and I have seen games at Millwall, Southend, Bromley, Dartford, and it's been interesting to see how other clubs doing things, and looking at the bigger picture."

Jones isn't ruling out forging stronger links with Sevenoaks Town Juniors FC and is planning to meet chairman Paul Lansdale.

He added: "It's a conversation I want to have, because the under-18' have a group of very capable youngsters, who work with Paul and Head of Football Development Micky Hazard. The philosophy is the same with them as it is for the younger players in their football education."

What is certain is that Jones has plenty of work to do - the club's fourth manager in as many years, and plenty of interesting times ahead at Greatness Park.

Visit Sevenoaks Town’s website: www.sevenoakstownfc.org