It was clear from the outset that Sutton Athletic are an ambitious club, says new boss James Collins

NEWLY-APPOINTED Sutton Athletic manager James Collins says the club’s ambitions match his own.


Collins, 30, took over the reins at Lower Road on 8 June after Guy Eldridge stepped down as manager after seven years in charge on 15 May.

Eldridge led the club to three promotions during his successful spell in charge, which propelled the club from the Second Division of the Kent County League to the Kent Invicta League.

The club moved into their new ground at Lower Road, Hextable last summer and Eldridge will still be very much involved with the running of the club.

Collins, who took charge of Erith Town between October 2012-February 2013 after being promoted up from being reserve team manager, is looking forward to his new role.

He said: “After my departure from Erith Town there were a couple of options to stay in the game, but it was good to go out and just watch games at various levels and enjoy watching matches without the pressure that ultimately goes with being a football manager.

“When the opportunity came to speak to Sutton it was clear from the outset that they are an ambitious club. It revitalised my own ambitions and I feel as though we will both be good for one another.”

Sutton Athletic were founder members of the Kent Invicta League and are preparing for their third season in the Step Six League.

Collins said: “The club have finished mid-table in both their Kent Invicta campaigns and under Guy’s leadership the club has come on leaps and bounds, winning numerous cups and establishing themselves as a mid-table Kent Invicta League side, which is a fantastic achievement considering they were playing in Kent County League Two when he took over.

“However, I think from the clubs point of view, they felt the need to freshen things up to continue the progression of the club.

“I believe the club want to match my own ambitions. It’s not something that’s going to happen overnight both on and off the field.”

Sutton Athletic begin their pre-season campaign at home to Southern Counties East Football League outfit Corinthian, who finished fourth in the final Kent League campaign last season, on Saturday 6 July.

Collins said: “I believe that the club has a good group of players already, but obviously we will be looking to add a few new faces and try and improve on previous positions whilst sticking to the clubs ethos.”

Speaking about his management team at Sutton Athletic, Collins said:
“I am also pleased that Jamie Todd, Bill Hutchins and Mike Jones have decided to join me.

“I have worked with them all before and once I spoke to them and told them of the clubs ambition they were as excited as me and now we all can’t wait to get started.”

Visit Sutton Athletic’s website: www.clubwebsite.co.uk/suttonathletic