Adam Drew joins as Head of Recruitment

We are delighted to announce that Adam Drew has agreed terms to join us as our Head of Recruitment.

Adam has returned to the Essex football scene after a season at Isthmian Premier Division side Lewes who finished just outside the playoff places but scored an impressive 89 goals in the division. Previously Adam has worked at Maldon & Tiptree, Heybridge Swifts and Concord Rangers.

Working with then manager at Heybridge, Jody Brown, Drew helped put together a squad that reached the FA Cup 1st Round, FA Trophy 2nd Round and the Isthmian North playoffs and then the following year he was involved with Julian Dicks’ playoff winning side.

He then joined Concord where he helped them finish in the playoff positions and his time there culminated in an appearance in the 2020 FA Trophy Final at Wembley where the Beachboys lost 1-0 to League Two outfit Harrogate Town.

First team manager Robbie Simpson said of the reasoning to bring Adam to the club, “We’ve been looking since January to bring in a head of recruitment this summer and we were searching for people with the right skillset in terms of working with a lower budget and bringing through youth as well as someone who could look at the wider aspects of the club such as the women’s team.

“He had a very successful time at Concord when he was working with one of the lowest budgets in the league. Then he was at Lewes which is a really forward-thinking club and this time with a bigger budget he helped them recruit a certain type of player to play a certain brand of football.

“He’s a perfect fit for the football club as he is a local boy and supported the club with his dad when he was younger and I know Chelmsford City holds a special place in his heart.

“We’ve had a few conversations with him and we’re delighted to bring him on board for the upcoming season and help out with the first team initially and then the wider club vision in the future.”

We can also confirm that the following staff from last season have agreed terms to stay on with the Clarets:

– Mickey Spillane (Assistant Manager)
– Glenn Skingsley (Performance Analyst)
– Tom Hurding (Head of Medical)
– Dave Lawson (Sports Therapist)
– Danny Clare (Goalkeeper Coach)
– Gary Kay (Kit Manager)

Speaking on his staff, Simpson said “I’m delighted that all of the current staff have agreed to stay on next season.

“Mickey’s been a real support mechanism for me and has been a key link as Head of Academy with bringing through youth, which is the philosophy of the football club.

“He’s been brilliant in supporting that as well as supporting me on the touchline with decisions that I’ve had to make and he’s got a great view of the game.

“We don’t always agree, but we share our thoughts with each other and we’re building our relationship really, really well.

“We’re developing as a team so I can’t thank him enough for last season and I’m really glad that he’s agreed to continue to be my assistant manager again for next season.

“Glenn obviously with the analysis both on our performances and opposition building up to games has been vital and we’re really pleased that he’s agreed to carry on.

“Tom and Dave in the medical room have been really good this season, I love their dynamic and the players absolutely love both of them.

“They went above and beyond as medical staff for large parts of the season, both of them were essentially kit men as well, so I’m really thankful to both of them and I’m really pleased that they’ve agreed to stay. Obviously they help out with the academy as well which is fantastic.

“Danny has been brilliant with Jacob [Marsden] and Kai [McKenzie-Lyle] when he came in and also James Dillon & Sam Kingston, including the younger lads like Josh Woodrow.

“All of the keepers have said to me how they think they’ve improved this season under his guidance so that’s testament to him. I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to stay with us next season.

“Obviously with Gary he came in to help us with the kit for the last few games of the season, and instantly the lads hit it off with him, he’s such a nice guy.

“Again he’ll go above and beyond for the football club and for us. Alongside Luke Iszatt and Morgan Snow towards the end of the season, they were all amazing for the team and they really bought into the togetherness of the squad.

“I’m absolutely delighted that Gary’s agreed to be our kit manager for next season and have him on board.”

Discussions have been held with every player from last season this week and details of our retained list will be released in due course.