FORMER Chelsea youngster Sam Hurrell has been appointed manager of Hillingdon Borough following the departure of Jesse Smith.
The 24-year-old was set to take charge of his first game on Tuesday as the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division outfit travelled to Oxhey Jets.
He replaces Smith and his assistant Gary Farrell who resigned prior to last weekend’s last-minute 2-1 FA Vase defeat to Clapton that saw Dave Poole take temporary control.
Hillingdon chairman Mick Harris was delighted to welcome the ex-Stamford Bridge man to the club and insists he can help keep the Hillmen’s squad together.
“Jesse Smith and Gary Farrell resigned of their own accord,” said Harris. “There was no pressure from us, we were quite happy with what Jesse was doing, but him and Gary have got their reasons for going. One of our players works in the same company as Sam and he found out Jesse was going and declared an interest. He already knows a few of our players and that swayed our decision because we know what it’s like, when a manager leaves some players decide they want to go as well.
“Sam will come in and he has lots of contacts so he can replace some of the players who are not happy to be there now but we don’t want to shove players out of the door. The players that have stayed have shown loyalty to us and we’ve got to stay loyal to them.”
Although this is the first-time in the hotseat, Harris revealed that the new boss does have some previous coaching experience from his recent spell in the United States with the New Orleans Jesters.
“Sam did some assistant management in New Orleans while he was there,” added Harris. “This is his first management job at adult level but we’re a club that likes to give young managers their chance, like we did with Gary Meakin.
“I’ve said to Sam that’s there’s no immediate pressure. We don’t expect instant results and we’ll play it by ear.”
Hurrell, who won Sky television’s Football Icon show in 2005, faces his next challenge on Saturday as Borough entertain Biggleswade United in the league.
