Justin Luchford fits the bill, says Whitstable Town chairman Joe Brownett

WHITSTABLE TOWN have today unveiled Justin Luchford as their new manager, writes Stephen McCartney.


Luchford quit Faversham Town with six games of last season remaining, despite the Lilywhites finishing their first ever season in the Ryman League as the highest ranked Kent club in eighth place.

Greenwich-based Luchford, 34,  then took over from the long-serving John Maggs as the new manager of Horsham in June.

But Luchford had to work with the lowest playing budget in the Ryman Premier League and resigned from his position at the homeless west Sussex club on 23 October, having won four of his seventeen games in charge.

“After only a few months it has become clear to me that I am unable to carry out my duties on the football side in the way I would like,” Luchford said in a statement published on Horsham’s official club website www.hornetsreview.co.uk, following his departure.

“There are various reasons for this but I feel that if I am unable to do my job in the way I feel it should be done then it is time to move on in the interests of both parties.”

Horsham chairman Kevin Borrett added:  “Justin is an incredibly talented football professional. His energy and commitment since he joined us in June has been evident to all, with many of the current squad and support team down to his rebuilding efforts over the last 4 months.

“I want to personally thank Justin for his support and commitment during his time with us. I have no doubt that he has the potential to be very successful in football management and will follow his career with interest".

Whitstable Town chairman Joe Brownett, meanwhile, has today unveiled that Luchford is their new manager.

He replaces Peter Nott, who stood down last month, and the club welcome Croydon Athletic to Belmont Road tomorrow sitting in eighteenth place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with three wins and one draw from thirteen games, only two points above the relegation zone.

“Delighted that Justin is the new manager,” Mr Brownett said in a statement, published on the official club website www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk.

“We had some really good applications but decided we needed a manager with Ryman League experience and Justin fits the bill.”

Vice-chairman Gary Johnson, who is also the club secretary added, “He is the right person to move  the club forward, Justin had some great ideas and we are all looking forward to welcoming him to the club.”

Meanwhile, caretaker manager Dave Fairclough will take charge of Saturday’s game against Croydon Athletic, as Luchford was only appointed this morning.

Richard Langley, who left Ramsgate in the summer to join Luchford at Horsham, will be a part of the new management team at Whitstable.

Visit Whitstable Town’s website: www.whitstabletownfc.co.uk  

Whitstable Town  v  Croydon Athletic
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 5^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at The Belmont, Belmont Road, Whitstable, Kent CT5 1QP