I want to help build a strong football club, says newly-appointed Bromley Green boss John Ovard

NEWLY appointed Bromley Green manager John Ovard says he will give the current squad a chance to impress him before bringing in fresh faces if required.



Dave Smith, who has managed the Ashford based club since July 2008, stepped down last week despite winning the Haart of Kent County League Premier Division title last season.

However, the club didn’t have the necessary ground criteria at their Waterside ground in South Willesborough to progress into the Kent Invicta League.

Club spokesman Dave Homewood paid tribute to the outgoing Smith telling www.bromleygreen.co.uk: “Dave will have a rest while Tony Gawler can focus on his under 13 side.

“This is the end of an era that has seen success, fun and some Cup Final tears but my enduring image of Dave will be his commitment, especially on Saturday’s in all weathers when he personally put up the goals, nets, ropes etc and took a genuine pride in the turn-out of his squad.

“We have not always agreed on matters but football needs characters and Dave has written himself into the club’s history books and will always be welcome at the Green.”

Ovard managed Hythe-based side Saga Sports & Social for three and a half years but stepped down in April of this year.

He said: “I take over from Dave Smith, who I’d like to say done a great job with the club and leaves the squad in great shape for me to push on forward.

“I accepted the Bromley Green job because it is a big club and has history with a strong family ethos to it.

“It has people that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the club tick and very importantly has a real chance to push on and progress.

“I want to help build a strong football club and help progress the youth set-up, which is the lifeblood of any good club and have young players that want to learn and play for the first team.”

Ovard added: “The first team, however, is the pinnacle with any club and I am lucky that there are some very good players already here and we have met and spoken about how and what we are going to achieve.

“They all have a clean slate with me and everyone from first team, reserve and youth will be looked at and given a chance and then I’ll look to see what fresh faces I need.

“I have made it very clear the level of professionalism and attitude I expect and credit to them they all know what needs to be done and are keen to get on with things.

“I am really looking forward to the new challenge as I turned down other offers in the summer because the progression wasn’t there in the team and club which is vital. 

“The hard work starts now on and off the pitch and with everyone looking to pull in the same direction, which means there are good times ahead.”

Bromley Green lie in fifth-place in the Haart of Kent County League Premier with three wins from their opening five games and travel to Strood to play a Fleet Leisure side that are unbeaten in five games with three wins and two draws.

Bromley Green club captain Glenn Mackett will reach the landmark of 600 senior appearances when he leads the side out at Rochester United’s ground at Rede Court Road on Saturday.

Mackett, a product of the club’s old youth set-up, was installed as captain while still a teenager and has been loyalty personified, staying through the barren times and Ovard has confirmed that Mackett will retain the captain’s armband.

Mr Homewood said: “When Glenn was first made captain he was headstrong and would argue with me over what day of the week it was!  However, the qualities of being his own man and his determination on the field, in addition to his obvious class as a player, are really why he was given the job.

“Down the years we have had legendary captains such as the late Tommy Stafford and Gary Holloway, each with their differing styles and Glenn is right up there with them.

“There will be a bottle of champagne waiting for him when the squad returns on Saturday so I hope as many players (present and past) that can make it pop in for an hour or so.”

Visit Bromley Green’s website: www.bromleygreen.co.uk

Fleet Leisure  v Bromley Green
Haart of Kent County League Premier Division
Saturday 15^th September 2012
Kick Off 2:45pm
at Rochester United FC, Rede Court Road, Strood, Kent ME2 3TU