Hawks hand Chapman full control

Harlow Town are looking forward to manager Danny Chapman overseeing football throughout the club from now on after appointing him as their new director of football.

The Hawks manager, pictured, is combining his role guiding the promotion-chasing Hawks with controlling all footballing matters at the Harlow Arena on a full-time basis.

Chapman, March's Nicholas Rowe Tailoring Manager of the Month in Ryman North, was appointed on Thursday, four years after becoming the club's manager in 2011 and ahead of a huge weekend with the second-placed Hawks heading to Needham Market on Saturday just a point behind the leaders and two games to go.

Officials say the 40-year-old, who made made more than 200 appearances in defence for the club, will oversee Harlow's new full-time academy and the 21 youth teams they've launched this season as well as their new ladies side from next season.

Harlow's chief executive Tommy Cunningham said: “Since we took control of the club five years ago, Danny has proven to be a hugely important member of staff. This appointment is the next natural step towards the realisation of our plans for the progression of the club.

"It’s a big piece of the jigsaw that we now put into place. Danny will provide a passion and drive that will span all of the football at the Harlow Arena, unifying the many teams that we now have here.

"We have had a great season throughout the club this year with real progress made both on and off the field, this will further build upon the foundations already set."

Chapman said: “I’ve been at the club for over 10 years now as both a player and now manager so Harlow Town FC is not just a football club to me, it’s a big part of my life.

"Football has been in my life since I was six years of age and now to be given this opportunity as director of football on a full-time basis is fantastic and something which I will relish. I have many goals but the overriding one is to ensure that this club and its academy is the best around."

He added: "I want to ensure that all children are given the opportunity to develop the skills and discipline that they will need within football and in the outside world; having some fun and success along the way. In doing this, I believe that the club will continue to go from strength to strength."

Image courtesy of Gavin Ellis/TGSPhoto

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