After Junior James departed the club this summer for a new venture as Assistant Manager at Herne Bay, we are pleased to announce that midfielder and former captain Michael Timlin has transitioned into a player coach role.

Michael has made a massive impact on the first team over the past two seasons, with the side's best performances coinciding with his best form on the pitch. In total, Michael has made 47 appearances for the club since arriving in the summer of 2020, making seven assists and scoring once, that goal coming in a 4-1 win at Bath City in November 2020.

Michael of course also has almost 400 Football League appearances and will undoubtedly bring that experience to the role, as well as be registered for the playing squad in a backup capacity.

"Last year I was probably a player-coach, this year it is more emphasis on the coach-player role!" said Timlin. "I wasn't expected to do much in the way of coaching last year as an active player but this season I will coach more for Gavin and Kads when they need me to. I still feel really fit, and despite the injury last year I feel I could play week in and week out if needed to, but I'm 37 now and just passed my A-licence last year and want to start coaching regularly."

"I had a chat with Gav and Kads and they outlined what they had planned for me and it fitted in well. They know I will still be preparing myself in the same way for games as if I was playing regularly, and it's a great chance for me to learn as much as I can from them both."

"Before Covid, we had him working with some of the 'B' team boys," said Gavin Rose, "but because of the pandemic his coaching career slowed down for a while, but it has always been the aim to get him back involved and now we have an opportunity for that with Junior James leaving. It will be baby steps to start with, building him up gradually, just like we did with JJ, and slowly give him more exposure to that side of things."

"Being in professional football for most of his career, Michael can bring those experiences to the coaching, and it's great to have him, and for him to still put his boots on and play a part in the squad when needed. He also brings professionalism, he's a winner, likes to get the best out of people, doesn't like to do things in half measures, and that is the kind of culture I like to have at this club."

Another face that fans may possibly see in the dugout will be that of Craig Belgrave. Craig has vast experience of this level of football having worked as the assistant manager to Craig King at a number of clubs, including Whitehawk, Welling United and most recently Dartford, where he left in the summer.

"Craig is with us on a part-time basis doing evenings at training. He is volunteering at the moment, and brings with him a vast amount of experience." said Gavin. "He has been number two for Steve King for many years, and has earned promotions and reached the playoffs consistently and overseen competitive sides. We won't expect him to be at every training session or match because it is a demanding role as a volunteer, but when he is available, we will use his experience. He is a very humble man and fits in really well with us, and hopefully we can offer him a more permanent role as the season progresses."