City looking to the future with new managers

Former Rocks player and ex-Portsmouth ladies head coach Neil Sherlock and technical director at Brighton and Hove Girls Centre of Excellence Alex Twitchen are the new men at the helm as they looks to build for the future.

The duo, who take over a side bottom of County League division one, have an impressive CV between them and look to be solid appointments with plenty of experience.They replace long-serving former boss Adie Girdler, who left the club two weeks ago after securing their first win for many months.

The pair take charge of the team for the first time at home to Lingfield on Saturday.

City chairman Oliver Adnan said: “We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new and exciting management team at Chichester.

“The last 10 days have been a nightmare, but the decision to depart with Adie will prove the right one and things are looking up.

“Neil and Alex will be working very closely with both Sean Forry (reserve boss for 2012/13) and Keith Tallent (under-18s) to ensure all aspects of player development are considered with the aim of producing players who can successfully perform at first-team level.

“The development of local community senior players through various age groups has always been our main priority, but unfortunately, for a few seasons now we have not been able to do this as much as we would have liked.

“However, with our new management team in place for the remainder of this season and the 2012/13 season, given their coaching experience, we will get back to developing players to benefit the club in the long-term.”

Sherlock has had links with Crystal Palace, Portsmouth and Aldershot, coached in Ryman division one south, and Sidlesham, Arundel, Pagham and Selsey. He also coaches at Crawley Town Centre of Excellence. Twitchen has managed in the Ryman League and has played at Marlow, Slough and Chertsey Town.

Adnan has confirmed that they will ‘definitely’ be able to field a side for Saturday and the rest of the season – after calling off their previous two league games since Girdler’s departure.

Last midweek they cancelled their match against Horsham YMCA and although hoping to play against Sidley last Saturday, they had to pull out due to a lack of players.

Adnan said: “It was a particularly difficult situation. I have sincerely apologised to Sidley and Horsham YMCA and have written to the league and the Sussex FA as well.”