Gloucester City praised over appointment of experienced non league manager

Gloucester City have been praised by supporters over the appointment of experienced non league manager Steven King on Friday.

The former Dartford boss quickly emerged as the frontrunner to become the Tigers’ new manager.

They made an approach for the number one target, and within 24 hours, comes in to replace Lee Mansell.

Mansell parted company with the National League North outfit on Thursday, with the side sitting 15th in the table after 10 games.

Gloucester City AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Steven King as the club’s new First-Team Manager.#OneCity #GCAFC

— Gloucester City AFC (@GCAFCofficial) September 30, 2022

CLUB STATEMENT:

Gloucester City AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Steven King as the club’s new First-Team Manager.

Steven was most recently in charge of National League South outfit Dartford, who he guided to finish in the play-offs three seasons in a row, narrowly losing on penalties to Chippenham in last season’s play-off eliminator.

Steven joined the Darts back in October 2019 and took the team from the bottom three to the play-off final in his first season in charge.

That campaign’s play-off final ultimately ended in defeat though, losing to Weymouth on penalties in the final but a second place finish in 2020/21 followed for Steven and Dartford.

Steven has overseen plenty of championships and promotions at a number of clubs in non-league football, with significant league and cup success.

Prior to Dartford, City’s new Manager reached the National League South play-off finals with Lewes, Welling United, Farnborough and Whitehawk.

The manager also had a spell at Macclesfield, where he made history by taking the club to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup for the first time and enjoyed a successful league campaign, with The Silkmen spending the majority of the season either top of the division or in the play-off positions.

The club where Steven began his managerial career is where he’s probably enjoyed the most success though, guiding Lewes from Isthmian League Division One South to the National League in the space of five years, a period which included three league titles and two separate top five finishes, with Lewes unable to play in the play-offs due to ground grading issues on the the other two occasions.

He is one of the most successful managers in National League South history, finishing first, second, third, fourth and fifth and reaching the play-off finals four times.

Here’s what Alex Petheram had to say after bringing Steven on board:

“I’m delighted that Steven and his coaching team have accepted our offer to join Gloucester City AFC. Steven’s CV is very impressive, he’s a serial winner and plays exciting football.

He’s one of, if not the most, successful managers in the National League pyramid.

We’re delighted he’s chosen Gloucester and we look forward to working with him going forward.”

Steven joins City ahead of tomorrow’s Emirates FA Cup Third Round Qualifying fixture against Merthyr Town at the TigerTurf Stadium.

Tickets are available online in advance here, with special Cup prices in place for the game meaning adult tickets cost just £10 when bought online with concessions £8, 12-17 £5 and Under 12’s £1 for both seating and standing.

Tickets are also available on matchday at the turnstiles but the adult price increases to £12 and concessions to £9.

Don’t miss out Steven King’s first game at the club and the start of a new reign at Gloucester City grab your tickets and come support the team in our Emirates FA Cup journey at the TigerTurf Stadium.

As mentioned, Gloucester City have been praised over the appointment of the experienced non league manager…

@LiamP2710: Brilliant appointment 👏💪

@TheVOTTE: We’ve tried a big name without experience at this level and we’ve tried the local route without much experience at all – what we really need is an experienced manager at this level who has had success. On paper, we undoubtedly have that now. Get us up that table 🚀 #UTFC

@DarranPearce: I’m a huge of Steve King as I have often mentioned in my tipping previews over the years. If he can replicate what he’s done in the south in the north then we are in for an exciting time

@ttowel: However we ended up here, I’m optimistic about this appointment. Worth trying experienced, proven manager who’s had success on variety of budgets. Fingers crossed club is learning 🟡⚫🐯🤞

@bubbadrink82: Experience & a winning mentality, exactly what we need.

@Dunnfamily06: Finally someone with national league experience, brilliant signing

@jeremy4glos: Let’s hope he can deliver better results for the team.

@talkdartford: Dartford fan here in peace. You will get a team who will be competing towards the top of the league and playoffs minimum. But it will come at a cost of huge player turnover, fans becoming disillusioned with the club, him being unpopular, and it will ultimately become untenable.

@martinbirt: Hopefully he’s given the money to buy bricks to build the house and not just hay bales.

@TheBoroWalk: Steven? Using his big boy name now.

@LifeWithJames1: Since when was he a Steven. He’s always been a Steve.

@bristolbluegas: Gloucester have appointed a thriller writer as their new manager!

@JamesH0403: Great to see Kingy back in the game, fully deserves another opportunity. All the best mate 👍

@matt_edmeades: Free agents all over the non league world have no need to worry any longer, Mr 45 players a season has a new club to ruin.