Thamesmead Town appoint Jamie Stuart as new Academy manager

THAMESMEAD TOWN have unveiled Jamie Stuart as their new Academy manager.

 

Sidcup-resident Stuart, 38, played nearly 200 games in the Football League for Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Bury and Southend United, with a further 300 plus games in the non-league game and has four England under 21 caps to his name.



FIRST CLASS: Jamie Stuart has taken over the running of the Academy at Ryman League Division One North club Thamesmead Town.
Photo: Margate FC

Stuart was to be Margate manager Terry Brown’s first signing when he took over to manage the Kent coast club in December 2013 and Stuart was appointed player-coach.

Big-spending Margate gained promotion into the Vanarama National League South after defeating Dulwich Hamlet and Hendon to win the Ryman Premier League play-offs after finishing in third-place last season.

Mr Paul Bowden-Brown, speaking to www.thamesmeadtownfc.com said: “I would like to welcome Jamie to the Academy as our new manager, the first time this position has been filled by a member of the Football Club.

“When I decided to ask the Thamesmead Trust if I could take the Academy over, I personally felt the Academy being run by Thamesmead Town Football Club staff, as it was being operated in our name anyway, would be more beneficial to the pupils and the club and would be another part of the plan I am trying to put in place since I became the chairman.

“We have the opportunity to turn this Academy into a first class operation, hopefully bringing the pupils through to play in the first team and above dependent on their ability and to ensures this happens I needed a first class coach that could work within the revised criteria and I feel that Jamie ticked all the boxes so I had no hesitation in appointing him after reading his CV he will be a great asset to the football club.

 “At the same time I hope Jamie together with Adam Woodward, our community manager, will add that little bit more professionalism and support to the current youth football operation within the club as they deserve it.

“I am also determined to ensure that rather than bringing and paying external coaches we give the relevant qualified players within the first team the opportunity of coaching for their club in my opinion it’s a win-win situation for the club!

“Finally may I thank Dan Wells for what he has achieved to date as the manager and Dawn and Mick Hayes of the Trust for the professional way the takeover negotiations took place, it was very much appreciated.”

Hugo Langton, who formed part of the Thamesmead Academy coaching set-up, left his role at Bayliss Avenue on 10 June, to continue coaching at newly-promoted Bromley.

Langton has gone full-time at Hayes Lane, following the club’s promotion into the National League, where players will train three mornings per week, starting next Thursday morning.

Meanwhile, Thamesmead Town’s first team manager Terry Spillane has appointed full-back Jack Hopkins as the club’s new club captain.

“We are delighted that Hoppo accepted the role and after speaking to him he’s determined to create the right atmosphere and help build the team camaraderie that you need to have if we are to be successful this season,” Spillane told the club’s website.

“The team captaincy will be announced over the next week or two.  After Ashley Probets leaving (to sign for Keith McMahon’s VCD Athletic) in the summer there has been quite a few players (old and new) putting their hat in the ring for the role.”

A proud Hopkins added: “I truly am honoured to be named club captain. I’ll be kicking, heading and tackling every ball from the sidelines with my boys until I’m back fit.

“I’m booked in to have my op on my ACL when I’m back from holiday at the end of July and with a bit of luck I’m looking to try and get fully fit for Christmas.

“I’m looking forward to working with Terry, Tony and Darran. They’ve made some good signings and I think that we’re really looking at an exciting season.”

The Mead begin their pre-season campaign with a trip to Whitstable Town on Saturday 11 July 2015 (3pm).

Visit Thamesmead Town’s website: www.thamesmeadtownfc.com