I want to taste more Kent Cup success, says Gills skipper Lyon

Thursday 01st July 2010

GILLINGHAM LADIES are searching for a new reserve team manager, writes Stephen McCartney.

Whilst the men’s section are under new management with Andy Hessenthaler bringing Ian Hendon, Nicky Southall and Darren Hare with him from Dover Athletic, the ladies section are also searching for fresh blood.

“A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a coach to be part of something special,” Martin Andrews, the ladies’ director of football told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Following the club’s recent promotion to The FA Premiership, there has been a restructure of the club’s coaching staff, resulting in a vacancy for a reserve team manager.

“If you are an ambitious coach wanting to work with the best talented female footballers in Kent then this certainly is an opportunity not to be missed.

“We are looking for a Level 3 coach, however, we invite ambitious Level 2 coaches to also apply. Experience working within Women’s football is an advantage, but not essential.”

Training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and matches are on a Sunday afternoon at Lordswood’s Martyn Grove ground.

Andrews added: “You will be working under Kent FA Coach of the Year, Ian Varley and last year’s reserve team manager Sean Edwards.

“We are keen to make a swift appointment as pre-season starts soon and the annual pre-season friendlies will soon be upon us.”

Unlike the men, who suffered relegation into League Two last season, it was a very successful campaign for the ladies side.

They defeated Millwall to clinch the Kent Cup for the first time in nine years and then secured the South East Combination League title and the reserves won their league last season.

First team captain, Becky Lyon, told www.gillinghamladies.co.uk: “Looking back on the season I don’t think we could have had a better season. I cannot fault any of the girls or even Ian (Varley) and Martin (Andrews), everything they have done has been spot on. I have enjoyed every single minute of it.”

She added: “We will be defending the Kent Cup for all its worth next season that is my little pride of joy that, I have always wanted to win that. That is one trophy that I want to hold on to and I want our name on there for the next however many years.”

Lyon paid tribute to manager Ian Varley, who used to play for Ryman League Division One South side Sittingbourne.

“Ian has been great this season, some teams think he is cocky and that he screams and shouts too much on the side of the pitch,” said Lyon.

“He will only shout when he is at the side of the pitch because he has to, he does it because he knows how to get us going. It is what a good manager does and they know how to do it properly.

“He gets the girls going and it is part and parcel of Ian’s job and it is part of my role on the pitch as well. Ian will shout things to me and I will put them across to the girls and I take onboard what Ian says and then say it to the girls as it will help us.

“We work hand in hand as he is the voice on the side and I am the voice on the pitch. I am very vocal when I am playing and it is a good thing for me and a good thing for the girls as it keeps me switched on and focussed.

“It is a bit of a confidence boost for Ian as well having me on the pitch to do the talking as we can be quite quiet at times.”

To apply for the role, please email your CV and covering letter to Martin Andrews, Director of Football at Gillinghamladies@yahoo.co.uk

Please state that you read this article on www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

For more details about the club and its ambitions visit www.gillinghamladies.co.uk.