HEYBRIDGE: Swifts unveil new manager

HEYBRIDGE Swifts' new manager Wayne Bond has admitted it's a big step up for him but he's confident the side will survive in the Ryman League Premier Division.

"I'm under no illusion of what's involved but I'm really pleased to be given the chance to be first team manager," he said, this week. "Yes, it's a big step up from running the reserve side but I'm confident I can do the job."

Swifts are currently bottom of the league after six games and have only picked up two points from two drawn games which led to previous manager Brain Statham resigning last week.

"My aim is for us to pick up points and start moving up the table and finish this season as high as possible," Bond continued. "From what I've seen already I believe we have the quality of players to do the job with perhaps one or two new players to come in because we don't have enough in depth."

Bond, who served his managerial apprenticeship running a successful Swifts' reserve side for the past three years, would ultimately like to see his side play the kind of attractive football the club has been renowned for over the years.

"Obviously when playing that kind of football you still have to win matches but I think we already have the makings of achieving that first aim of staying in the division," he declared. "I also want us to try and keep the same side and not change it around every match because I think if players become familiarised with each other it helps continuity and results will come.

"Obviously injuries and suspensions come into play but that's the aim.

"It will also be a learning curve for me at this level being in charge but I'm grateful for the club to have now been given the chance."

Bond had a tough baptism of fire seeing his side go down at Margate 2-1 in the first game on Saturday followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat at home on Tuesday by league leaders Ashford Town (Middx).

"Both games showed what we are capable of and we should have taken some points from both," he explained. "One lesson learned is that at this level you have to take you chances when they come and if you don't you pay the price."

Bond said the Ashford manager after Tuesday's game felt they were lucky to win, getting the rub of the green.

"He said we didn't look a bottom of the table side and we gave them their hardest game so far," Bond said. "We had chances and could have scored so we should have at least picked up a point.

"In our dressing room afterwards the players were distraught at having played so well and not picked up a point but we can build on that," he added. "I would be more worried if we weren't creating the chances in the first place."

This Saturday the Swifts are at home to newly-promoted Tooting & Mitcham United at Scraley Road and on Tuesday go to Dartford for another league match.

In the wake of Brian Statham's resignation Swifts have lost two of their summer signings in defender Darren Blewitt and striker Ellis Remy.