Trophy winner named as new coach

The former Sutton United, Stevenage Borough, Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet striker was named on Tuesday as the successor to Phil Cramp after the former Walton and Hersham and Tonbridge Angels player decided to take a break from football and stood down with immediate effect.

In a statement on the club's website, Cooper and assistant-manager Gavin Macpherson paid tribute to Cramp, pictured below, who joined their first team coaching staff four years ago and also managed the reserve side for three years after playing for the club.

Cooper said: “Phil has been with the club for seven years, he was part of the reserve management team prior to stepping up to the first-team as coach. He will be missed by all at the club. I would personally like to thank him for his continued support and wish him and his family all the very best moving forward.

Macpherson added: “I'd like to place on record my thanks to Phil. He's helped me in a big way during the last few years and he can be proud of what we achieved in his time. Jokingly he was always quick to remind all of us that reaching the First Round of the FA Cup against Crawley Town was something we hadn't done for many years, so the credit must be given to him as it was his first season with me and Jim!

"It was a definite source of banter on the bench from time to time! On a serious note, I wish him and his family all the very best for the future and hope he returns to football at some point."

Cooper moved quickly to choose a new first team coach and believes the appointment of the 34-year-old Nurse, who lifted the FA Trophy with Stevenage in 2007 and is also head coach of the club's junior section, will strengthen the bonds between all the sides turning out at Imber Court.

Cooper added: "Gav and I are delighted to announce that we have made arrangements to appoint Jon Nurse as first team coach. Jon will also be available to provide cover as a player as he is still registered with us.

"Other strong candidates were considered. However, as Jon is involved with the Met Police youth set-up and has considerable experience as a coach from his time with Barnet FC we feel he was the perfect replacement. He will take up the role in earnest from next week."

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