Deres look to the future with stars of recent past
Posted by Brian Spurrell on 4 March 2020
The new-look board of directors is in place at Erith and Belvedere, and they’re looking to the future with great optimism. The transitional phase may have been difficult on the pitch, but with new sponsors and a variety of ideas for energising Park View Road, there’ll be plenty happening to give the club a bright future. What’s more, the new directors have distinguished themselves as players in recent years.
The new chairman is Adrian Deane, a former Irish under-21 international who spent time at Charlton Athletic. Adrian made 159 appearances for the Deres from 2006-14, scoring 39 goals, one of which gave them the lead in extra time of the 2009 Kent Senior Trophy final before they eventually lost to VCD.
Paul Springett will be in charge of marketing and PR. Paul made 144 appearances from 2012-16 and scored 9 goals. He was in the engine-room of Micky Collins’ team that won the 2012-13 Kent League double, before finishing his playing days with Collins at Sevenoaks.
Jim Lyons will be in charge of the bar, catering and events at Park View Road. He contributed 3 goals from midfield in 33 appearances in Collins’ first season at Deres, 2010-11.
Sam Prett will be assisting treasurer Mike Murtagh with financial matters. Sam scored in the first minute of the abovementioned Kent Senior Trophy final, and was Manager’s Player of the Year in 2008-09 as the club’s top scorer with 22. His overall record was 30 goals in 56 appearances.
Club historian and long-standing supporter Brian Spurrell steps aside after being interim chairman for the past month to take on the role of secretary: he and Mike Murtagh have steered the club through a very awkward period, but all the board are now focused on the future.
