Cup king Leese takes charge

Former Chesham United manager Andy Leese will be guiding Enfield Town in the Ryman League's top flight when the new season kicks off after being named as the successor to Bradley Quinton on Friday.

Leese, who parted company with the Evo-Stik League Southern's Generals in March after more than a decade at the helm and two memorable cup runs to the first and second rounds of the Emirates FA Cup, will be assisted by former England U21 defender Darren Purse.

Now 41 and most recently at Bishop Stortford as a player, the experienced Purse who will also be registered to play after a distinguished career that took in Leyton Orient, Oxford United, Birmingham City, West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Ex-Generals boss Leese famously led his side to the second round of the FA Cup in 2015-16 when wins against Enfield Town and Bristol Rovers were followed by defeat at Bradford City. He guided the Buckinghamshire club to the first round again last season before a 2-1 reverse at Peterborough United and also won promotion to the Evo-Stik League Southern's top flight while at The Meadow.

In a statement announcing their new managerial team, Enfield Town chairman Paul Reed said: “We were extremely impressed with the number of applications we had and it was quite difficult to whittle down to a manageable number of interviews, such was the calibre of those we shortlisted.

"Andy and Darren were extremely clear about their immediate and longer term plans for the club and were outstanding candidates. I very much look forward to working with them both."

The 53-year-old Leese, who's also managed Somersett Ambury, Cheshunt, Boreham Wood and Wealdstone, told Towners fans he was delighted to be back at Step 3 with a fresh challenge at a club that more than matched his own ambitions.

He said: "I am thrilled to be joining such an ambitious club, and can't wait to get started. There are very few good jobs available at this level, and this is definitely one of them. Apart from being supporter-owned, I know the club is very community orientated and I am very pleased to be part of that."

Paying tribute to his predecessor at the Queen Elizabeth II Stadium, Leese added: "Brad Quinton has clearly done a great job during his time at the club and Darren and I will be looking to pick up the reins quickly and make progress. We will relish the challenge of meeting the expectations of supporters."

Purse, who was with the new Towners manager in two spells at Chesham, said: "I am delighted to be working with Andy again. I think we complement each other very well and have an extensive knowledge of the game between us. Joining Enfield Town is very exciting and we will be aiming to keep the club's momentum going from day one."

Image courtesy of thenonleaguefootballpaper.com

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Where next?

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