Brad Sandeman joins Lordswood's coaching staff while Deal Town begin search for new reserve team manager

LORDSWOOD manager James Collins has appointed former Tunbridge Wells assistant manager Brad Sandeman to join his coaching staff.

The 45-year-old, who played League football for Northampton Town, Maidstone United, Port Vale, Rotherham United and Hereford United, joins the Southern Counties East Football League club following his and Martin Larkin’s departure from league rivals Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells have appointed former Bromley reserve team and Cray Wanderers first team manager Keith Bird, who revealed on Friday night that six or seven players from Larkin’s squad remain at Culverden Stadium and that he has to rebuild the squad on a reduced budget.

“Collins was delighted that Sandeman agreed to join the club and is looking forward to working with him and Sean Glover in preparation for the season ahead,” said a club statement.

Sandeman was on the sidelines with Collins and Glover during Lordswood’s 4-1 defeat to last season’s Southern Counties East Football League champions Phoenix Sports in their opening warm-up game on the 3G pitch at Thamesmead Town’s Bayliss Avenue yesterday lunchtime.

The statement added: “With Grant Brown, Brima Daramy and former Corinthian keeper Sam I’Anson already committing to the club for the new season there will be news of further signings by Collins and his team over the next few weeks.”

Meanwhile, league rivals Deal Town begin the search for a new reserve team manager after Dave Fairclough was forced to resign through work commitments.

Fairclough, who took over the running of the second string last year, has been promoted to a new post within the Immigration Service.

He told the club’s website: “It will mean that I won’t be able to give the reserve team job the commitment that the position entails.

“I am disappointed to have to make this decision because I was really enjoying it and I have said to Del (Derek Hares) that I want to stay connected with the club and help out in any other way I will.”

Chairman Robert Marriott said: “We are sorry to lose Dave but obviously understand his reasons and wish him all the very best in his new job.”

The Charles Sports Ground outfit are now looking for appicants to take over and anyone interested should email acting club secretary Natalie Benville at secretary@dealtownfc.co.uk.

The closing date for applicants is Friday 10 July.

The reserve side will be playing in the NRG Gym Kent County League Division Two East this season, instead of the Under 21 East Development League.

The chairman added: “The league have decided to combine the U21 East and West Leagues because of a shortage of teams, but that would have made it difficult for us from a travelling point of view and so we have decided to stay in the same league that we were in last season.”

Visit Lordswood’s website:  www.lordswoodfc.co.uk

Visit Deal Town’s website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/dealtown