I'm looking forward to the challenge, says new Whitstable Town boss Justin Luchford

JUSTIN LUCHFORD says he will look at the current squad first before deciding whether he needs to bring in fresh blood, having been unveiled as Whitstable Town’s new manager this morning, writes Stephen McCartney.
Luchford, 34, who lives in Greenwich, left Faversham Town six games before the end of last season as the Lilywhites finished as the highest ranked Kent club in Ryman League Division One South in eighth place.

He was appointed as Horsham’s new manager in June, taking over from the long-serving John Maggs, but he lasted only seventeen games at the homeless west Sussex club, who have the lowest budget in the Ryman Premier League.

Whitstable caretaker manager Dave Fairclough takes charge of his third game tomorrow, as Luchford takes over team affairs after the home clash against Croydon Athletic.

Whitstable are only a couple of points above the relegation zone, having won three and drawn one of their thirteen games and lie in eighteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table.

Luchford said: “Obviously when any football club gives you an opportunity to manage at the Ryman level and above it’s a privilege and I’m very grateful to those that made the decision at Whitstable to bring me on board so obviously looking forward to the challenge.”

Luchford says he will take his experience at struggling Horsham into the job at The Belmont.

He said: “I’ve learnt an awful lot in those six months, hopefully it will make me a better manager going forward.”

When asked his aims for Whitstable, Luchford replied, “First and foremost let’s get in there first.  I’ll get in there and with my backroom team we’ll reshuffle the pack a little bit, maybe add one or two fresh faces and freshen things up and try and get points on the board and then we’ll go from there.”

He added: “I’m not going to put expectations out there or points targets.  We do have to try and get to the new year and have points on the board so we’re not worrying about what’s behind us but at the same time it’s about building bricks and it will be one step at a time.”

He has revealed that he has made an offer to younger brother, striker Dane, who is a free agent having left Horsham a couple of weeks’ ago, about joining him at Whitstable Town.

“It’s possible.  Dane’s got a few offers on the table,” said the boss.

“He’s matured very much in the last year or so.  He’s become a good player at that level and he also proved to himself at Horsham capable that he can play at Ryman Premier level.  There’s an offer on the table.  I’m talking to him.  If I can do a deal to bring him in, I will do.”

Richard Langley, who left Ramsgate to join Luchford at Horsham in the summer, has been unveiled as assistant manager.

“I can’t actually speak highly enough of Richard, he’s probably the best assistant I’ve had since I’ve been managing,” said Luchford.

“He’s absolutely professional, he’s attention to detail is unbelievable and he’s a joy to work with so delighted to have Richard decide to join in.

“We’ve got a couple of ideas whose coming on board so we’re speaking to them in the next couple of days.  Maybe in the next couple of days’ we’ll dot the i’s and cross the t’s.

Luchford, who guided Faversham Town to the Kent League title and Kent Senior Trophy glory two years’ ago, will work with his new side during his training sessions next week and will put his stamp on things for the trip to Chipstead on 12 November.

He said:  “I won’t be taking charge of the game tomorrow, the game will be taken charge by caretaker manager Dave Fariclough.  I shall be there as just a bystander really.  I’ll watch the game and meet the people that I need to meet and if I get a chance to speak to the players’ after I will do and then we’ll get cracking in training next week.

“Of course I’m excited. Whenever you embark on something new in life I think it’s exciting.  I’m looking forward to the challenge.  It’s a big job to do but every job is a big job.  I’ve just come out of a job that’s a huge job so hopefully I can take things I learnt from that (Horsham job) and from Faversham in the past and put them into Whitstable and fingers crossed we’ll get some results.”

When asked whether he’s going to entice players that he’s worked with in the past to The Belmont, Luchford said: “I need to see what I’ve got first.  I know a little bit about who’s at Whitstable at the moment.  All managers like to bring in their own players over time.  I’m in no rush at the moment to bring players in.  If I do I’ll bring them when and if I feel necessary so we’ll see what happens in the next weeks and months.

“It’s about getting the right players’ for Whitstable and the right players for the way I want to play and hopefully we can kick on.”

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk  

Whitstable Town  v  Croydon Athletic
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 5^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP