Massive respect to JP Collier for all that he has done for Holmesdale, says coach Ross Mitchell

HOLMESDALE begin the search for a new manager today after John-Paul Collier has resigned to take up a coaching role at East Grinstead Town.

Collier joins former Dalers boss Tony Beckingham at the Ryman League Division One South club, who appointed the former Phoenix Sports joint-manager, sitting in the bottom three in the table.

A club statement said: “First team manager JP Collier has left the club this week to take up a role at East Grinstead.

“Former manager and current director of football Paul Proctor will take temporary charge for this weekend’s fixture.

“Applications for the vacant role should be made to Paul Proctor or club chairman Mark Harris.”

Collier received plenty of praise from rival managers in the Southern Counties East Football League with an eye-catching brand of attacking football on the deck.

The Bromley based club sit in eleventh-place in the table, having won five, drawn two and lost six of their league games – 20 points adrift of league leaders Erith & Belvedere.

Ross Mitchell, the club secretary and first team coach, paid tribute to the departing player-manager.

“Massive respect to JP for all that he has done for the club and genuinely wish him all the best at East Grinstead.  Has a bright future ahead,” he tweeted.

We now have to stick together as a team and club and hope we can get a new manager in shortly that can pick up from where it has been left.

“Club is in a very good position both on and off the field and the new manager will get our full backing and support.  Hope to announce that soon.”

Proctor takes charge of tomorrow’s trip to Ashford to play sixth-placed Canterbury City.

Visit Holmesdale’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/holmesdalefc

Canterbury City  v  Holmesdale
Southern Counties East Football League
Saturday 8th November 2014
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Homelands Stadium, Ashford Road, Kingsnorth, Ashford, Kent TN26 1NJ