I want to be the boss, says Hugo Langton

COACH Hugo Langton has explained why he has quit his role at Thamesmead Town, writes Stephen McCartney.



Forest Hill based Langton, 36, who runs the North Kent Football Academy in Beckenham, spent a couple of seasons with the Ryman League Division One North club, having joined them from Ashford Town.  He has previously coached Gillingham Ladies, Rusthall and Holmesdale.

In April, Langton missed Thamesmead’s home game against Enfield Town, as he was overseeing Martin Allen’s coaching camp in Nottingham.

Keith McMahon’s side were challenging for the play-offs pre-Christmas, but the Mead came down like the Christmas decorations and a depressing run of two wins in their last 23 games saw the club finish in the bottom five (seventeenth place) with 39 points.

“I’ve decided to leave Thamesmead Town, there’s nothing dodgy in it, I’ve left on the best of terms with Keith McMahon,” said Langton.

“I’ve been a number three essentially all season. I, if I am honest, I want more proper involvement on match days, have a bigger influence on what’s happening on the pitch.

“I remember in our FA Trophy game down at Folkestone, a few of the Ashford fans were there and they asked me why I wasn’t calling the shots from the dugout, like I did with Steve Lovell at Ashford Town.

“The long and short of it is, a few guys in the game who I have the utmost respect for and value their opinion, have basically said the same thing to me.

“I’m 36, I have an UEFA A licence, I have been around the non-league’s for a while now, I’m hard working, know the game, am meticulous and my attention to detail is apparently bordering on the obsessed! And so I have been encouraged to go and have a go at being a number one again.

“I’m wiser, more experienced now, have good contacts within the game and more importantly I have a huge determination and enthusiasm to be the best I can.

“I have watched and learned from all the managers I have worked with, picked up some good things and I’d love a crack elsewhere.

“I know the Kent League and Ryman League inside out.  I’ve watched a few Blue Square Bet South games this season so have a good understanding of that too so if anyone out there, whether you know me or not wants to get in touch, I’ll be delighted to hear from you.

“I do have one interesting offer as a number two, but that all is subject to whether or not the manager in question can get what he wants out of his club going forward for the season.  I think at this stage I need to keep my options open.

“Now, I’m not daft enough to think I can just walk into jobs, there’s a lot of good guys out there hungry to get back in.  If need be, I’m happy to be a number two, but I’m after a club who not only shares my ambitions but is ready to take a punt on me – a young and determined bloke.

“As a number two you need to work as hard as the manager.  People who know me will testify to my hard work.  I love my sports science and believe it can have a massive impact on the modern non-league game.   I’m always looking for that something extra.  I want a club where I can build or help build something special.”

Langton paid tribute to McMahon for his 100% efforts both on and off the pitch at Bayliss Avenue and hope the club enjoy a much better season next time out.

Langton said: “As for Thamesmead, I wish them nothing but success.  Keith is a top bloke and he understands my ambitions.  Keith works his fingers to the bone for that club and he deserves success and I hope he gets it next season.

“His backroom team are all diamonds, Steve Wait, Mark Lane, Peter Deadman, Alan Woodward, Terry Hill are all proper blokes who all massively contribute to that club. 

“I think they were perhaps let down a bit last season and I know Keith won’t let that happen again.”

Meanwhile, Thamesmead Town are opening their doors to the local community in a bid to provide local youngsters the opportunity to gain a range of qualifications and work experience as part of an Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning: Activity Leadership.

Using the high quality training facilities at the new Sporting Club Thamesmead, the home of Thamesmead Town Football Club, the Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership will be delivered in partnership with Barnfield College, Luton, who will be the main deliverer.

In order for all the students to get the most out of the course they will be employed as apprentices by Thamesmead Town and become actively involved in a variety of roles and the day to day working of our football club and community programme.

During the apprenticeship programme Thamesmead Town will provide the opportunity for learners to undertake tasks that are relevant to and support their studies.

The educational element of the programme is delivered 2-3 days per week and is open to 16-18 year old girls and boys. The duration of the course is between 22-26 weeks and the training will be based at the new Sporting Club Thamesmead, the home of Thamesmead Town at Bayliss Avenue.  The practical job role of the apprenticeship will be 8 hours per week in addition to the 2-3 days educational element.

All apprentices will receive a minimum wage of £60 per week.

All apprentices will receive the following qualifications:

1) NVQ Certificate in Activity Leadership (Level 2)
2) Child Welfare / Safeguarding
3) Emergency First Aid / Health & Safety
4) Functional Skills - Maths (Level 1)
5) Functional Skills – English (Level 1)
6) Award in Leading Health Related Activity Sessions (Level 2)
7) Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning (Level 2)

The course is totally free of charge and to apply students are required to attend a short work trial bringing along their National Insurance number, their full home address, date of birth and an emergency contact number. The club will also need any student's previous qualifications but there is no minimum requirement for acceptance onto the course.

This is an excellent opportunity for the young people of Thamesmead and the local community to get involved with  the club, achieve nationally recognised qualifications and commence on the ladder to a career in Sport & Leisure.

The enrolment/opening evening is on Wednesday 1 June 2011 at 6:30pm at Thamesmead Town Football Club, Bayliss Avenue, Thamesmead, London SE28 8NJ.

For further details or information please contact: Keith McMahon on  0777 9290928.

Meanwhile, the club require a reserve team manager for next season. Those interested in this post should e mail their CV in the first instance to first team manager Keith McMahon at keith@maine-plc.com.   

This is an exciting opportunity for the successful applicant as the Reserves will be playing their football in the much vaunted Suburban League rather than the Kent League.

Meanwhile, it was a night to remember for Mead Goalkeeper Sam Mott at the club's recent presentation evening. He was named Players Player, Suppoters’ Player and Manager's Player of the Year.

Callum MacGeehan picked up the Most Improved Player Award while Chairman Mark Lee won the much coveted Alan Martin Award.

Finally the Golden Boot Award went to Gabriel Momodu who narrowly edged out last season's winner Andy Constable by a solitary goal.

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.co.uk