New manager Lambert's debut delayed

John Lambert must wait until Saturday to become Ryman South Eastbourne Town’s third manager of the season after taking over from Tony Reid.

The former Hastings United manager, pictured, missed out on the chance to start turning around second from bottom Town’s season on Wednesday night when their match at The Saffrons against Folkestone Invicta was postponed. He’ll now take the helm for the first time in their crucial six pointer on Saturday at Whitstable Town, two places and six points above them in the table.

Lambert left the hot-seat at Sussex County League side Sidley last July and was confirmed on Monday as the successor to Reid who resigned on Friday, 48 hours after Town's 4-2 midweek defeat at home to Sittingbourne.

Reid’s assistant Sammy Donnelly took charge of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at home to Worthing and had expressed his interest in taking the job permanently. Along with Reid, who took over following Kevin Laundon’s departure at the end of August, Donnelly was thanked by the club for his efforts after leaving this week.

Town’s new manager will work with an experienced back room team after appointing Jamie Podmore as his assistant manager and Peter Heritage and Ben White as first team coaches.

In a statement confirming the shake-up, the club said: "Following the departure of Tony Reid Eastbourne Town FC have appointed John Lambert as first team manager. John has in turn appointed a management team of Jamie Podmore, Peter Heritage and Ben White to support him. Eastbourne Town would like to thank Tony Reid and Sammy Donnelly for all their efforts at the club and wish them well for the future."

Eastbourne Town Chairman David Jenkins backed Lambert and the club's new management team to turn around their fortunes. He said: "I think we have a mixture of youth and experience with this management team. Long term, we believe they will be the right team to move us forward."