Category Archives: Club

HEARN AND WILLIS APPOINTED NEW FIRST-TEAM MANAGERS

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Grant Hearn and Andy Willis as our new joint first-team managers.

They join us from Forest Row FC, whom they guided to second place in the Southern Combination League after leading them to promotion last season.

Both are familiar figures at the Vistavis Community Stadium. Grant made more than 100 first-team appearances for the Wasps, and both have served on the club’s management committee.

Grant said: “East Grinstead has been my home since 2002, when I joined as a player. Over the years I’ve managed the third team in the Mid Sussex League, then moved onto the reserves, U21s and U23s and was first-team assistant manager.

“I’ve been on the committee, mowed the pitch, worked the turnstiles and served behind the bar. The club holds a special place in my heart. I live in East Grinstead, so I know and understand what the loyal supporters are looking for. Their backing is key to us achieving our goals this season.

“We know our job is a tough one but it’s a challenge we are looking forward to. It’s an honour and a privilege for Andy and I to become managers of this great club, and we will do everything we can to take the club forward.”

Chairman Richard Tramontin said: “We are delighted to welcome back Grant and Andy to the club and are really excited about what they can achieve together.

“They already know our club inside out so have a strong affinity with the Wasps. We have worked for the last 12 seasons to establish ourselves as a Step 4 club and we want to remain at this level and believe Andy and Grant can help us achieve that.

“Our obvious short-term objective is to stay in the Isthmian League and to build from there.”

“Andy watched last night’s game at Faversham, and he and Grant will be together in the dugout on Saturday when we play Sheppey United. I’m sure our supporters will get behind them and wish them every success.”

Coaching Staff Update

Following the resignation of first-team manager Drew Cooney on Saturday, the club can confirm that Drew’s coaching staff Ian Nicholls, Steve Sargent, Matt Wheeler, Cameron Finlay and Carl Pennifold have also left the club. We would like to thank Ian, Steve, Matt, Cameron and Carl for their hard work and commitment during their time at the club. We wish them every success going forward and we hope to see them again at the Vistavis Stadium in the future.

For tonight’s game at Faversham our U18s manager Lewis McDonnell and senior player Tom Cadman will take the team.

A further update will follow before Saturday’s game against Sheppey United.

Statement from the Board: Drew Steps Down

East Grinstead Town Football Club can confirm that first-team manager Drew Cooney has stepped down from his role following today’s defeat to Ashford United.

Drew, who made over 500 appearances for the club as a player, took charge in March 2022. Over the past three seasons, he has stabilised the Wasps at Step 4 level and successfully integrated several youth players into the first-team squad.

Club Chair Richard Tramontin said:
“Drew spoke to us after the game against Ashford United and we have reluctantly accepted his resignation.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, including our supporters, I want to thank Drew for his dedication over the last four seasons. Since we moved into Step 4 football, it has been a challenge to compete with larger and better-resourced clubs, but Drew has met that challenge with unwavering commitment alongside his coaching staff. His contribution to the club cannot be overstated.

“While results this season have not been what anyone had hoped for, Drew felt it was the right time to step away. We wish him every success in the future, and he will always be welcome at East Grinstead Town.”

An update on the appointment of a new manager will follow in due course.

Minute’s Applause – RIP Darty

Before today’s game against Sevenoaks, there will be a minute’s applause to remember ex-Wasp Dave Dart, who sadly passed away earlier this summer.

Dave made his debut in 1975 and played for the club more than 200 times.

RIP Darty

East Grinstead Town FC are looking for volunteer help so they can expand their thriving disability team.

The Wasps currently run one side in the Sussex County Disability League, playing monthly matches on the Sussex FA ground in Lancing which are seven-a-side and last 25 minutes.

They also hold regular training sessions at the Jubilee Community Centre in Charlwood Road, East Grinstead on Wednesday afternoons.

They currently have 18 registered players and they are hoping to run a second team and offer opportunity to more players.

They are appealing for more help with coaching the team and transporting them to Lancing.

Team managers Anthony Bowler and Stuart Gibson said:

“When we first took on the management in September 2021, we only had seven players so no subs. The players love playing football and being part of the team, so much so that they have introduced their friends to the team and helped us grow to over 15 players.”

“Three of those original seven have been with us throughout. The commitment and enthusiasm of the players is fantastic and watching them develop and improve as footballers and their confidence grow has been incredibly worthwhile.”

“To enable us to take the next step we are hoping to be able to add a second team for next season and be able to offer more coaching with additional volunteers and support.”

The club currently use an 11-seat minibus to transport the team to Lancing but would love the use of a bigger vehicle or second vehicle so more team members can play.

If you would like to help, please email contact Stuart here

You can listen to an interview with Meridian FM below (from 29 mins) about this for more info.

200 Club: January 2025

Results of Jan 2025 draw done on 01/02/2025:

1st prize £56      – Karl Cullen

2nd prize £20     – Steve Hatswell

3rd prize £10      – Stuart Hedgecock

Adam Dabell Memorial Match 2024

I’m delighted to be able to tell you that, thankfully, (with some careful scheduling of matches – ‘thanks Richard’), we shall once again be celebrating this terrific event for our young people, in memory of our dear son, at the home of the WASPS!

As I’m sure most of you will now well know, on the 10th March 2004 our wonderful son Adam, tragically and without any warning, collapsed and died whilst playing in a local five-a-side tournament with his friends.

He was 26.

 

At that time, working on a suggestion made originally by Steve Hill (Sussex School Sports Coordinator) and Simon Bunn, one of Adam’s close friends, plus his peers and friends from schooldays, we, with his extended family and his many good friends, decided that the best memorial to a young, fit man, so full of life, would be a living memorial.

Therefore contributions were made that provided for a Memorial Cup and Trophy in Adam’s name which are presented to the winning team from an annual football match between the two Schools/Sixth Form Colleges in East Grinstead;

Sackville, which Adam attended, and Imberhorne which many of his friends attended.

 

Both teams receive commemorative medals, normally presented by our Town Mayor and also, hopefully as each year, by our own local MP Mims Davies.

The event is increasingly heavily supported, particularly by the young people of the Town.

All are very welcome.

It is a very joyous celebration!

 

Along with Adam, we shall also this year be looking to particularly commemorate the life of Oliver Shelley, who played in goal last year for Imberhorne, in the delayed 19th match held at the Hawth in Crawley Down, early this year.

With very sad similarities to the loss of Adam, the terrific lad that Oliver was, was taken from us suddenly without warning due to meningitis,

 

This is to say a personal thank you to those who contributed to this living memorial, who continue to make it happen each year and to let you know that the 20th annual match will take place on Thursday 3rd October at the East Grinstead Town F.C. ground.

 

Once again, at the match we shall be looking to promote and seek, entirely voluntary, contributions to CRY – Cardiac Risk in the Young.

 

CRY was founded in 1995 to raise awareness of conditions that can lead to Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD); Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS, SADS), in the young and I would encourage you to visit their website:- http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

 

We still lose far too many of our lovely young people, every year, to undiagnosed heart conditions!

 

 

Those of you that can make it, I would like to warmly invite you to join us there to cheer on the two young teams, as we remember Adam and those other young people that have fallen victim.

 

For more information, please refer to Adam’s website:- http://adamdabell.net/ and that of EGTFC to whom we continue to be hugely grateful for their support of this match.

 

My apologies if I have inadvertently missed anyone – please pass the invite on.

I would reiterate, All are most welcome to come along.

 

Very kind regards,

 

John

New Commercial Opportunities Available

We have a range of commercial and sponsorship packages available if you are interested in discussing opportunities then contact our Commercial Manager – Steve Norris here

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