Pic: Matt Bradshaw
FORMER Stevenage, Eastleigh and Whitehawk assistant boss Kevin Watson has taken over as manager of Bishop’s Stortford following the exit of joint-boss Mark Hawkes.
Stortford were third from bottom at the time but they now sit second bottom and nine points adrift of safety following Tuesday night’s heavy 8-0 defeat at title chasing Ebbsfleet.
The Blues announced on Wednesday evening that ex-Heybridge Swifts and Chelmsford City boss Hawkes had left the club alongside first team coach Cliff Akurang.
Watson has been drafted in for the rest of the season following his recent spells as assistant manager at Eastleigh and Stortford’s relegation rivals Whitehawk.
He previously managed Ryman North side Maldon & Tiptree although that was only for a short period after he was offered a job with Stevenage.
Watson returns to the dugout with Stortford ahead of Saturday’s home game against National League South leaders Maidenhead United.
A Blues statement read: “Bishop’s Stortford Football Club wish to announce they have parted company with joint-manager Mark Hawkes and first team coach Cliff Akurang with immediate effect.
“The board of directors wish to place on record their thanks to both Mark and Cliff and wish them good luck for the future.
“BSFC are delighted to announce that Kevin Watson comes in as manager to the end of the season. Kevin has a wealth of knowledge of the pro game having been a player at Tottenham Hotspur, Swindon, Rotherham, Reading, Colchester United and Luton Town, with managerial experience at Maldon & Tiptree, assistant manager to Teddy Sheringham at Stevenage, assistant to Ronnie Moore at Eastleigh and most recently assistant manager at Whitehawk.”
