CHUFC APPOINT NEW U23'S PLAYER-MANAGER - OTIS TAYLOR

ANDY ELLIS:
"After many years of running the u23, I have secured a new manager who I have had the pleasure to manage. Otis Taylor will bring some very good qualities to the football club and will help the younger players develop and progress to the 1st team. Welcome on board Otis, I can't wait to see what you and your new team can bring to Chessington & Hook Utd."

OTIS TAYLOR:
"I have a long history and a great love for this club. I first discovered the club when I was on loan from Corinthian Casuals at the age of 19. Paul Norris was the 1st team manager at the time and Andy Ellis was the reserve team manager. The club looked very different back then than it does today.

I have known Andy for a very long time, and surprisingly neither his phone number, his character, nor his belief in youth development has changed. I have fond memories of playing and scoring goals for Andy at Chalky Lane because I was an attacking midfielder back then and it's always nice to be on the pitch and remember those days.

I spent many years playing Step 5 combined counties football, for all sorts of managers and teams. Teams like Spelthorne, Farnham, Redhill, Epsom and Ewell FC, Sheerwater, and Banstead, but I also played for higher clubs like Hampton and Richmond, Leatherhead Football Club and Carshalton FC. In short, I know what it's like to be a player who is in the starting eleven and I also know what it's like to be a player who sits on the bench for 90 minutes. I have learned a lot over these years, and I am grateful for all the opportunities I have been given.

So, I am starting a new chapter in my career, but I have not finished this game yet.

The opportunity to return to the club where I started playing Combined Counties football is a great opportunity that I would not have been able to take without the good relationship I have had with Andy and the club for over 15 years.

The role of U23 player-manager appeals to me because I know that's where development starts. It's where you can mold minds, where players learn the value of the club and its disciplines, and where you can create a winning mentality and attitude and instill your vision in young players who are willing to learn and respect your decisions to improve the team and their development in the first team.

My first appointment is Wesley Lennon who will be my Assistant Manager. Wes has a lot of experience in the Combined Counties leagues himself. He brings a wealth of football knowledge and experience having played for teams such as Farnham Town, SCR, Molesey, and Godalming.

My second appointment will be my Player-coach, Romaine Atkinson. Romaine has also spent many years in Combined Counties football Step 5 and above. Romaine is a striker/midfielder who is very much still playing and I'm happy he has agreed to join me at Chessington & Hook United. He is a quality addition to the club and no doubt he will help us get extra goals needed as we chance promotion.

I will be having a few more conversations to make sure I get the right professionals around the young lads and lads needing match fitness. We are all looking forward to the challenge."

Photo: Andrew Ellis, Otis Taylor & Glynn Stephens.
For further information please contact Andrew Ellis.