Otford United Football Club have taken steps to focus their sights on the club’s future after Jamie Knight and Mike Cunningham made a decision to step down as joint managers of the first team. The club thanked both managers for their contribution and insisted that both would still play a part in the club’s future, on the pitch.
The new, incoming manager is the highly-rated, UEFA A licence holder, Paul McDonagh, who has accepted the club’s offer to take over the reigns with immediate effect.
Paul said of his appointment: “I am pleased to be joining Otford United Football Club. The club is one of great potential, and has taken great steps from a youth perspective over the last few years. I hope to help steady the ship so to speak in the short term and build for the future. A solid pathway for the youth into adult football is a priority, as well as the adult teams fully linked together.”
Stuart Cunningham, Otford United’s Chairman commented on Paul: “I’m delighted to welcome Paul [McDonagh] to Otford United. Paul brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the club, of which we will no doubt benefit from immediately in the interim, in helping to rebuild, creating pathways for the junior members of the club into the men’s section, and then onwards into seasons beyond this.”
He added: “Paul and I go back over 20 years, of which during this time, I’ve always been impressed with his ideas, tactics and drive for success. I wish Paul all the best in his new role and, as a club, we are right behind his decision to help improve Otford United FC, from the minis, through to juniors and seniors.”
• Paul McDonagh is the current manager at Sevenoaks Town FC Womens first team, where his role will not change. His past roles have included spells at Charlton Athletic FC Womens, Chipstead FC, Dartford FC Womens, Bearsted FC, Ide Hill FC and Rusthall FC.
