The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
New Long Sutton Athletic chairman Paul Preston has backed first-team manager Matt Cawthorn to get the club challenging for promotion up to the Chromasport PDFL Premier Division.
Cawthorn has been asked to continue in the role he adopted midway through last season following the resignation of Danny Goddard. He will be assisted by Matthew Radeloff, who is returning to London Road from Holbeach United Reserves.
After leading the side to a good string of results in PDFL Division One last season, Cawthorn had publicly expressed disappointment in having to re-apply for the job.
Preston is pleased the matter has been resolved and the Magpies can look forward to next season with focus.
He said: “As a club, we’ve always said we would look at people showing an interest.
“We were always onside with Danny and Matt.
“It was disappointing that Danny stepped down and we hope that Matt and Matthew will be able to push us on again to where we want to be.
“We want to get back competing, with a view to getting back in the Premier Division within about three years.”
Cawthorn said he’d always wanted to remain as manager.
He added: “I’ve accepted to carry on with ‘Billy’ Radeloff as joint manager and Will Kirkham as coach.
“I think between the three of us we will form a great management trio.
“The hard works starts all over again but all three of us have something in common – we’re all passionate about the club and want to build it back up to the good old days.”
Meanwhile, the Reserves – who play in Division Four – will be run by Grant Varnham, assisted by Simon Black. Club veterans Steven Cousins, Jeremy King and Vinny Mackey will offer help and experience.
The club has its first pre-season get-together on Saturday, June 18 (time TBA). Old and new faces are welcome to attend.
Preston succeeded Phil Ward as chairman at last week’s AGM.
Preston added: “On behalf of the club I want to say a big thank you to Phil for what he has done over the past five years.”
Sutton finished last season in 12th place after picking up 33 points from their 30 games. That’s four places and 11 points better than in 2014/15.
