EARLSWOOD Town have appointed former player Joel Hughes as the club’s new manager ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.
The Earls have acted swiftly to replace outgoing boss Tom Reynolds who resigned from the role last month.
Hughes is a former Crystal Palace academy graduate and made 43 appearances for the Earls, scoring nine goals, between 2019 and 2022.
Hughes said: “I’m delighted to be joining Earlswood Town, a team very close to my heart. I’m grateful for the opportunity and I will do the Earlswood faithful proud. Up The Earls.”
Earlswood chairman, Andy Walker, added: “Despite us already knowing Joel well as a player, he impressed us during the interview process with a clear vision on his playing style, approach to training and, more importantly, his desire to create a family club that is at the heart of the Earlswood community.”
This will be the Londoner’s second coaching stint having previously been in the dugout as player-coach of Yorkshire Amateur at step six.
During his playing career, Hughes featured for the likes of Erith Town, Lingfield, Holmesdale, Fisher Athletic, East Grinstead, Guildford City, East Thurrock and Ossett Town.
In the Midland Football League, he represented AFC Solihull and Fairfield Villa either side of his three-and-a-half year playing spell at the Earls.
The Earls will begin their 2023/24 Midland Football League Division Two campaign on Saturday, August 5.
