Casuals boss to depart

Corinthian-Casuals have confirmed that boss Paul Barnes will be in the dugout for the last time as they take on Westfield on Saturday.

Barnes only joined the club just before the turn of the year, and despite improved performances has been unable to keep them in the Pitching In Isthmian League.

In a statement released this morning, he explains:

'With the 2023/24 season coming to an end, it feels like the right time to let the club and supporters know of my intentions for the future.

Although we did not achieve what we set out to do, we all worked tirelessly to keep the club in the division. Players, volunteers, and everyone at the club gave everything… we connected with our brilliant fans and hopefully showed how much it meant to represent the famous Corinthian-Casuals colours and shake every single fan’s hand after every game.

The club has given me the energy and desire to want to go and test myself again, so I will be leaving at the end of the season and exploring what may be next.

Thank you for the opportunity to experience this brilliant club and people. I believe it has the right people leading it into the next chapter.'

Read more here.

Paul has been with Casuals for just four months. He became the boss at Hastings United in May last year, two months after departing Dulwich Hamlet, and his side started the season in fine form, undefeated in their first eight matches in League and Cup, but that form tailed off and he left Pilot Field in mid October.

He took the hot seat at Hamlet in mid October 2022, following a month as interim boss. He was previously a Pitching In Isthmian League boss with Staines Town, a role he left in January 2021.

He had previously been the manager of Greenwich Borough- he took over from Gary Alexander and steered the club to the South Division Playoff Semi-Finals- and has also worked at Dover, Ashford United and Guildford City.

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