Former Salts boss named as new manager

Buckwell, pictured, is already well known at the High Road having managed Chipstead’s tenants for six years before most recently coaching at Horsham YMCA.

Buckwell, who was named as Chipstead’s sixth manager in five years, saw his new charges lose 2-0 to Molesey on Tuesday night, their ninth defeat in ten games.

Chipstead's new manager is under no illusions about the task he faces to preserve the club's Ryman League status despite having more than a week to prepare for his first game at the helm away at Ramsgate on Saturday 19 September.

In an interview with the Surrey Mirror on Wednesday, he said: “They are bottom of the league so it isn’t going to be easy but we are aiming to stay up. I know that doesn’t sound very ambitious but it’s very difficult to get back into this league and their Ryman League status is something the club are very protective over.

“I’m under no illusion that if I don’t get the results I could do be doing the gardening on a Saturday afternoon in a month’s time.”

Buckwell is happy with the breathing space the club's early exit from the FA Cup has given him and is also adamant he won't be making wholesale changes.

“I’ve actually come in at a very good time," he insisted. "If the club planned it that way then they’ve done well. I was able to watch the Tuesday night game as a spectator and then I’ll takeover for the first time at training this week. We then have a Saturday off and a week to work on things before Ramsgate next weekend.

“Having watched the team, I think individually a lot of the players could do a job but as a group they aren’t quite there and losing has become a bit of a habit, which we need to nip in the bud."

He added: “I won’t be tearing the squad to pieces. I will look to bring in one or two and then see how we go and maybe bring in another one or two later on. Everyone has a clean slate as far as I’m concerned.”

Former Horsham, Worthing and Redhill manager Colbran, who succeeded Steve Baker at the High Road at the start of the year, resigned nearly two weeks ago following Chipstead's 4-1 defeat at home to Moseley.

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