Deres Management Duo Depart

 

Erith & Belvedere have announced that joint-managers Billy Hamlin and Jamie Phipps resigned last night, bringing an end to their time in charge after just seven league games of the new season.

The Deres currently sit eighth in the Premier Division table, with two wins, three draws and two defeats leaving them seven points behind early leaders Sutton Athletic. Their final game was Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Park View Road against Holmesdale.

Chairman Paul Springett paid tribute to the outgoing management team in a heartfelt club statement:

“We cannot thank Jamie and Billy enough for everything they have done for the club.

When they came in at the start of 2024, the club was down the bottom of the Isthmian League, under a transfer embargo, and morale seemed at an all-time low.

They made it their mission to pick up the pieces and built a strong side who never gave up right to the end of that season.

Last year, given the chance to take the reins from the start, they assembled a solid core group and took us on an adventure – none more memorable than reaching the Quarter-Finals of the FA Vase after a run of dramatic ties and penalty shoot-outs.

But perhaps more importantly, they rebuilt the culture of the club. During their tenure, it felt like Erith & Belvedere rediscovered its identity, with team nights out and away days that will go down as the stuff of legend.

On a personal note, I will always be grateful for meeting Billy and Jamie. We will remain friends and I wish both of them and their families a wonderful future.

We honestly wish Jamie, Billy, Freddy (Hamlin) and the rest of their management team all the best for the future and thank them unreservedly for everything they have done for the club.”

The club have confirmed that coach Sam Groombridge will take charge as interim manager, starting with Saturday’s home game against newly-promoted Faversham Strike Force.

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