Eastleigh confirm new permanent manager while King’s Lynn appoint Curzon Ashton boss

Eastleigh confirm they have a new permanent manager in their interim while King’s Lynn appoint the boss from high-flyers Curzon Ashton.

The Spitfires have appointed Richard Hill as their manager for a third time having been placed in temporary charge with Jason Bristow after the sacking of Lee Bradbury on the 26th of August.

Eastleigh have earned 11 points from their seven National League games since, with three wins and two draws but currently sit 15th in the table, with 14 points from 12 games on the board so far.

Hill, 60, was manager of the club between 2012 and 2015 and gudied them to the 5th tier of English football for the first time, before returning in 2017.

🤝 | We can today confirm that Richard Hill has been appointed as first-team manager following his interim period in charge.#Spitfires

— Eastleigh FC (@EastleighFC) September 28, 2023

EASTLEIGH STATEMENT:

Eastleigh Football Club can today confirm that Richard Hill has been appointed as first-team manager following his interim period in charge.

The club has interviewed numerous candidates following a thorough and extensive recruitment process.

Although this has taken longer than initially expected, due to the volume of interviews and the requirement to make formal approaches for those in employment, the club feels that the appointment of Hill will give us the best chance of success.

Hill has achieved unprecedented success with the club and will be well known to many new and old fans alike.

Having assembled a team that won promotion to the National League he subsequently led Eastleigh to their highest ever league finish. The team played some of the most exciting football ever witnessed at the Silverlake and his team gave us many memorable matches.

A vital part of this success was the fans and the unity between the players, staff and fans alike. Future success will undoubtedly require the same unity and feeling of togetherness which as a board we are committed to deliver.

During Hill’s seven games as interim manager, and despite a hugely depleted squad, he has gathered 11 points in the league and has maintained a 55% win rate throughout his entire managerial career with the Spitfires.

We now look forward to our trip to FC Halifax Town this Saturday and hope that as many fans as possible will make the trip at the start of this new era.

Meanwhile, King’s Lynn Town have also confirmed their new manager, a surprise though as it’s Adam Lakeland of Curzon Ashton.

The National League North club parted company with Mark Hughes earlier this week having just won once from their first ten matches, leaving the Linnets third from bottom of the table.

Chairman Stephen Cleeve is incredibly excited to get Adam Lakeland on board, and has even tipped him to be a future EFL manager.

KING’S LYNN STATEMENT:

The club and Mark Hughes have parted ways.

Club Chairman Stephen Cleeve said “I will always be grateful to Mark for stepping up to the plate when Tommy Widdrington walked out on the club without notice to join Aldershot. Mark is a tremendous person and gave his all to the job in trying circumstances and I am very sad that it has not worked out as we both wanted at King’s Lynn Town FC. I wish him well in his future career and am sure he will bounce back very quickly”.

Adrian Whitbread has also parted ways.

The club is delighted to announce that Adam Lakeland has agreed to become Linnets Manager.

Lakeland was previously at Farsley Celtic and Curzon Ashton, who narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season after a final day defeat at The Walks.

Chairman Stephen Cleeve said “I am so pleased that Adam has become a Linnet – he is in my opinion the best manager in our division, and I am sure will become a Football League manager sooner rather than later; hopefully with King’s Lynn Town FC.

“I would like to thank Jason Sutton at Charmed Interiors and other sponsors who have helped me hugely in bringing Adam to the club.”

On joining the club, Lakeland said “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the next manager of King’s Lynn Town FC.

“From the moment the Chairman approached my former club for permission to speak to me about the role, and from the numerous conversations we’ve had since, I’ve been nothing but positive about this move and cannot wait to get started.

“Whilst the team currently finds itself in a position we don’t want to be in, I have no doubt that there is a nucleus of very good players at the club.

“I’m certain that with some renewed confidence, hard work and structure, we can still go on and have a good season, ultimately aiming to get the club back to the National League at some stage in the near future.

I’m excited to meet our supporters next weekend and will give my all each day to help take your club forward.”

Joining Adam at the club will be Sam Walker, who will act as assistant manager.

𝐂𝐥𝐮𝐛 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭.
Manager Adam Lakeland is leaving the club after agreeing to join @officialKLtown.

Also departing is his assistant Sam Walker.

We’d like to thank both Adam & Sam for their efforts at the club!#UTN | #TheNash pic.twitter.com/xLyHEL8vhh

— Curzon Ashton (@CurzonAshton) September 28, 2023

CURZON ASHTON STATEMENT:

Yesterday we excepted the resignation of Adam Lakeland after we had an official approach from kings Lynn football club for Adams services.
Adam felt the pull of working with a fulltime team and this was something he wanted to do since he became a coach and the offer kings Lynn football club offered he couldn’t turn it down.

Also Adam will be joined by Sam walker who will join him on his new role.

We would like to thank both Adam and Sam for their professionalism and work ethic at the club over the years.

For the foreseeable Future Craig Mahon will become Manager, Whilst Jack Salkeld and Mark Bradshaw will assist him in taking the team forward.

No further statement will be made.

Lakeland said in a post on Twitter: “What a whirlwind of a week. To all the players, staff, supporters & volunteers at Curzon Ashton – thank you.

“It is & always will be a club I owe so much to & I wish you nothing but success in the future. The opportunity to work with a full time club & a Chairman I instantly felt I could work with was something I couldn’t turn down.

“I’m excited to get to work at ‘The Linnets’ and will give my all each day to bring you success. Thanks to everyone who has called, messaged and commented. Your support is humbly received and appreciated. Let’s go.”