Mark Shelton New Manager at Barking

[btsa]

Taken from Non League Daily website:-

 

John Edgeworth, chairman of Ryman League Division One North club Barking & East Ham United, has announced the identity of their new manager. He is Mark Shelton, Billericay Town’s 37-year-old former assistant-manager.

 

Edgeworth said: “This is Mark’s first opportunity to manage a first-team at this level, although he comes with ten years experience as assistant-manager of various teams most of which have been at Ryman Premier level.

 

"On meeting Mark I found him to be an intelligent, forthright character with bags of enthusiasm and I have no doubt that he will succeed in what will be a very difficult first season for him.”

 

Shelton, who was born and grew up in Barking, was shortlisted last time the job was vacant and has considerable coaching and managerial experience in the Ryman League Premier Division, but this is his first time in full charge.

 

He coached at Purfleet for two seasons, was head coach and assistant-manager at Grays Athletic, and managed Billericay’s reserves in the Capital League. He has worked with some distinguished managers including Gary Calder, Chris Snowsill and Barking's former manager Craig Edwards.

 

Shelton secured the post of assistant-manager to another former Barking manager, George Borg, at Boreham Wood but the job did not materialise as Borg left for Hornchurch.

 

In his playing days Shelton was a centre half and actually played for Barking reserves 20 years ago and also turned out for Barkingside's first-team and for Grays Athletic reserves among others.

 

Shelton said: “I will be signing a nucleus of players who played Ryman Premier football last season. My assistant-manager will be Billy Gilman, a very experienced coach himself with extensive knowledge of non-League football including coaching at Grays.

 

"I have presented the chairman with a three-year plan and I will not be satisfied with a mid table position in my first full management role. Only a top six position will satisfy me. In my opinion Barking should be playing Conference football.”

 

Meanwhile on the playing side, Brian Suchley has joined ex-Barking number two Mark Lord at Essex Senior League side Romford along with former Blue Danny Benstock.