Longhurst named as Wasps boss

Longhurst quit the Southern Counties East Football League's Deres at the weekend before being unveiled as the successor to Tony Beckingham at the Wasps on Monday.

Beckingham, who left the club in September to take over as the new joint manager of Ryman South rivals Hythe Town, returns to East Court on Saturday with the Cannons when Longhurst takes charge for the first time.

Longhurst's assistants at Park View Road - Bill Manners, Lee Barnett and Sonny Gladdish - were named in the same roles at the Wasps on Tuesday in a club statement confirming his appointment.

Skipper Jon Difford, who has led the club in a caretaker capacity for the last three weeks, guiding the Wasps to a 3-2 win against Cray Wanderers in the FA Trophy and a 1-1 draw away at Herne Bay on Saturday, completes Longhurst's new touchline team.

Wasps officials say they were delighted to appoint their new manager who reached three cup finals and won a trophy during three years at Corinthian FC before guiding the Deres to the quarter-finals of the FA Vase after taking over at the club following their relegation from the Ryman League in May 2014.

East Grinstead Town chairman Richard Tramontin said: “We had 30 applications for the post which reflects our status in Non-League football including some very good candidates. But we were impressed with Matt’s track record, his football philosophy and his plans for the future and we’re all looking forward to him leading us to success in the future.”

Longhurst said: “It’s a great pleasure to be appointed manager of the Wasps. It’s the next step in my managerial career and one I am relishing. There’s a great core of players already at the club and I feel we are capable of climbing the league and I can’t wait to get started.”

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