City managerial merry-go-round will boost club's progress

SEAN FORRY has been named joint first-team boss at Chichester City in a management reshuffle.

Forry and Neil Sherlock will be in charge of the club’s Sussex League division-one squad while Alex Twitchen - who did the job previously alongside Sherlock - becomes director of football and preliminary manager of their development squad.

Chairman Mike Madden sees the moves, along with under-18 manager Keith Tallent continuing his role, as further confirmation of City’s determination to grow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “We now have exactly the right mix of characters and skills to take this club another step forward and continue towards our ultimate ambition of moving up the football ladder.”

City have had to overcome many difficulties in recent years and have managed to secure their survival in the county league top flight with an extremely young squad.

Madden said: “We’re keen to attract good, local players of all age and ability but are also very aware of the wealth of young talent in the area and the need to ensure these players see Chichester City as the club to develop their game.”.

Forry is relatively inexperienced as a manager, having spent two seasons in charge of the successful under-18s before stepping up to run the development squad last term - but he does not see this as a problem.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Forry said: “Neil is a highly qualified and experienced manager and it is good to know Alex is still around for support and advice. Their knowledge of the game is second to none and blends well with my own ideas.

“The three of us worked closely together last season and between us and Keith, we have the right ingredients to move the club on another stage,”

Forry had a long playing career and spent 12 years with Portfield and Chichester City. He believes this will also stand him in good stead.

“I played under some excellent managers over the years but of them all, Vijay Korgaorkar, Joe Laidlaw and Jack Pearce stand out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They were great in the dressing room and all three were aware a good club was about more than just what happens on the pitch.

“I like to think I’ve taken something from each them in the way I approach the game and see the creation of a united senior section and the general enjoyment of involvement in that club as vital to success on the pitch.”

Sherlock added: “I’m very happy to be carrying on with my position. I feel Alex and I had a successful season and laid the foundations for the campaign ahead.

“By Alex taking up more of a coaching role this season, I feel the whole club will benefit from his knowledge and expertise. I’m delighted Sean will be joining me as joint manager and, although this will be his first senior management position, he has more than proved himself by doing outstanding jobs with the under-18s and development squad, along with his experience as a top county league player.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He will be a great asset in the dressing room. The club has a positive feel about it and the foundations have been laid. It’s time to build on these foundations and grow and develop as a successful club moving forward to reach our long-term goals of playing at highest level we can achieve.”

The continued involvement of Twichen, a highly -qualified and experienced coach, is vital. He has just been appointed as one of 46 national club and coach mentors by the FA and a new degree course in football coaching and performance being launched at the city’s university, where he is based.

Twitchen said: “I enjoyed last season - it was tough but we made good progress through the second half of the campaign and that needs to continue.

“My role will be to support Sean and Neil so we can continue to make progress as well as helping the younger players make the transition from age-group football into senior football, which at any level is difficult and challenging.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Twitchen’s focus will be on organising coaching and making sure the club develops players to give them the best possible chance of realising their potential. He will initially take charge of the development squad, who play in the Suburban League.

Under-18s manager Tallent said: “One of the most pleasing aspects of last season was seeing eight players from the under-18s progress through to the development squad and two or three called up to the first-team squad - and remain keen to play for the under-18s.

“This is the first time in number years that this feeling of togetherness has emerged and it is very much down to the philosophy put in place by the youth, development and first team management teams.

“The men’s section coaching and management staff have built up a great relationship and understanding with each other and have regular conversations and discussions over player progression, which has been shown this season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It has also seen us looking forward to next season with under-16 players from Chichester City’s very successful youth section and other surrounding local clubs introduced to training sessions towards the end of the season in readiness for next year.

“We continue look for the best local talent to strengthen all the squads but with a particular focus on bringing local players through ranks to promote a real sense of belonging to the club.”

Pre-season training will begin on Tuesday, July 2. Any players over the age of 16 interested in attending should contact any of the management team via the club website.

The club are keen to talk to any aspiring coaches or managers and would like to hear from you if you feel that you would like to become involved.