Chelmsford City Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Angelo Harrop as the club’s next men’s first-team manager.
Angelo will replace Robbie Simpson at the helm following his decision to step down from the post at the end of the current season.
37-year-old Harrop has signed a two year deal and will officially begin his full-time role with the Clarets on 19th May 2025.
Harrop has become one of the most coveted managers in non-league football after earning promotion with Braintree Town to the National League, in his second season as Iron boss in 2023-24. During his first season, he took Braintree to the National League South play-offs, where his team lost in the eliminator round. However, Harrop picked up an Essex Senior Cup winners medal after his side beat Concord Rangers in the final of the competition.
His arrival at Braintree in May 2022 came on the back of a successful year as AFC Sudbury manager, whom he joined in June 2021 and guided to the first round proper of the FA Cup in 21-22.
Prior to his stint at AFC Sudbury, Harrop enjoyed spells managing Brightlingsea Regent and Stanway Rovers, where he also worked as director of football. He has previously held coaching roles at Northampton Town and in the USA with the MLS. Harrop was Head Scout for East Essex at Norwich City between 2012 and 2020.
Away from club football, Harrop has run his own highly successful youth coaching company since 2011.
As a player, Harrop represented a variety of clubs at youth and senior level, playing for Rushden & Diamonds, Colchester United, FC Galakticos, Leiston, Needham Market FC, Stowmarket and Stanway Rovers. On the international stage, he played for Wales at youth level.
Upon confirmation about his upcoming appointment as manager, Harrop said: “Firstly, I would like to express how proud and excited I am to be the next first-team manager of Chelmsford City Football Club.
“From my initial discussions with Spencer and the board of directors regarding the project’s vision and ambitions, l recognised that this was the right club for me. It was refreshing to encounter someone who shares my passion for success and the desire to bring something special to the club.
“Now, it is time to turn our shared dream into reality. I look forward to meeting all the Clarets fans and embarking on this exciting journey together.”
Chelmsford City chairman Spencer Gore said: “Angelo was the first person I spoke to about the position and the standout candidate of all of the 100+ applicants. He ticks all of the boxes on the list of criteria the board set for the position.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time and opportunity for both Angelo and the club to now push on from the fantastic job Robbie has done over the last few years. It was important we found someone with a record of success at this level but who had also managed at a higher level.
“The fact Angelo was happy to work with our existing management team was also a big factor as we look for consistency.
“I’m looking forward to a strong finish to this season and even greater success over the next few years, as we work towards our goal to become a Football League side.”
Further information about the full make up of Angelo’s backroom set up will be confirmed in due course.
Everyone at Chelmsford City would like to welcome Angelo and his family to the club and wishes them every success at the EMJ Community Stadium.
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