It's a great honour to be in charge of this fantastic club, says new Fisher boss Billy Walton

FISHER have tonight appointed Billy Walton as their new first team manager until the end of the season, renewing an association with the club that goes back decades.

Walton was popular as assistant manager to Steve Firkins last season and he takes charge with immediate effect and with the challenge of lifting the Fish off the foot of the Kent League table ahead of him.

That task starts next Saturday with a trip to local rivals Beckenham Town.

Walton issued a statement on the club’s website www.fisherfc.co.uk  and heaped praise on Firkins, who stepped down following the club’s 2-0 home defeat to Erith & Belvedere in the Kent Senior Trophy Quarter-Finals yesterday, owing to family concerns.

“What can I say about Firko? He is a great football man and all round nice guy, one of the best and I enjoyed the success that came our way as we worked together over the years.

“It’s right that he puts his family first at the moment and I wish them all the best.”

Fisher fans will of course associate Walton with his commitment to an attractive passing game – described as “carpet football”.

Walton, who has had brief coaching spells with Kent League sides VCD Athletic and Greenwich Borough this season after stepping down as Firkins’ number two, confirmed that his side will look to pick up results playing the only way he knows – on the ground.

Talking about the challenge ahead, Walton said: “It’s a great honour to be in charge of this fantastic club and I hope I can do it proud.”

Walton takes charge of training on Tuesday evening at Fisher’s Bermondsey training base, City Academy, and he has asked that all current Fisher players attend as usual, ahead of the short trip to face Beckenham, whose outstanding Eden Park Avenue pitch is certainly a surface that will suit the “carpet football” style.

Meanwhile, the club can also confirm that assistant manager Gary Davies has also left the club following the change in management.

A club statement said: “Gary, whose association with Fisher goes back many years, put his heart and soul into the club this season as he supported Steve Firkins.  The club are extremely grateful for everything he put in and wish him the very best for the future.”

Greenwich Borough manager Gerry Cox explained the role that Walton held during his three-game tenure at the club, which saw the side lose 6-1 at home to VCD Athletic; suffer a 5-1 defeat at Tunbridge Wells, before going down to a 4-3 defeat at Beckenham Town.

Cox, who is also the club secretary, said: “I never considered Bill Walton as my assistant. Bill came to Greenwich Borough with equal opportunity to put his input into the team as myself and Kris Hollidge.

“It’s a unique situation at Greenwich Borough Football Club where you have to wear more than one hat, if you want to be involved.”

Visit Fisher’s website: www.fisherfc.co.uk  

Beckenham Town  v  Fisher
Kent Hurlimann Football League
Saturday 19th January 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Eden Park Avenue, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3JL