BILLERICAY: Statham named new Town boss

By dward

BILLERICAY Town's new manager Brian Statham has declared himself "a winner and always wanting to play attractive, competitive football."

And that's what he will be instilling in his New Lodge players when they assemble for pre-season in July but Statham refuses to predict how the side will do in the Ryman League Premier Division or how many will be staying from the current squad.

"I don't make any promises at anytime but I will as always want my side to play attractive football and all the players must want to be winners," he declared on Tuesday. "That's in my nature and that's what I will want from them all."

Statham, who turns 40 next month and his assistant, Barry Lakin, have been out of non-league football since they both quit at Heybridge Swifts last September after major finance cuts were made in the playing budget.

"Although I have been out of the game as since then we've both kept in touch and seen a lot of football," said Statham. "I'm pleased to be back and given the opportunity to manage what I believe is a super little club with great potential and with a great set of supporters.

"I feel I have the experience at managing a club at this level and there's a great deal of potential here.

"This club has under performed when you look at finishing positions in the league and I know this season they've had an unprecedented number of injuries to players.

"But I make no criticism of those who have been in charge in the past because they have had a difficult job.

"Since taking over in temporary charge Grant Gordon and Lee Hodges have steadied the ship as it were and the club has retained its Premier Division status which was crucial."

It's unlikely though that they will be involved on the management side as Statham will bring in his own backroom team, but he added: "I will obviously be speaking to Grant and Lee before any decision is made as to next season."

Statham, who pipped former Chelmsford City manager and currently Dulwich Hamlet boss Craig Edwards for the post, watched his new side win 1-0 at Maidstone United away in their final league game of the season.

But it's clear the Blues side that takes to the field for the big kick-off come August will be vastly different from the line-up for the Maidstone game.

"This is the time of the year when the hard work begins for any manager but I'm really looking forward to it and determined to make Billericay Town a side that hopefully will be challenging at the right end of the league next season," Statham added.