Tilbury FC have a new management team in place that includes the former West Ham and England international Peter Brabrook.

He will be assistant to Paul Joynes, who was in charge of county league side Romford last season, although he is no stranger to Thurrock non-league football.

Joynes has managed at Dockers' Ryman Division One North rivals Aveley and for four seasons was in charge of the reserves at St Chad's.

The change will come as no surprise to Tilbury followers.

After a decent first half to the campaign under Bill McMeekin, Dockers fell away badly in Division One North following a record-breaking run of 13 straight defeats.

"We were not convinced as to Bill's plans for the coming season and so both parties agreed to part," explained club secretary Lloyd Brown.

"The time was right for a change and we feel that Paul and Peter have the experience to make a first-rate management team."

McMeekin's association with the club had first begun in 1995 when in charge of the youth team and he progressed through the reserves to take over as caretaker on the departure of Tony Cross in February 2002.

McMeekin was quickly given the job on a permanent basis and Tilbury surprised everybody by how well they adjusted to the new Division One North and at the start of 2003 were as high as eighth.

But when they suffered a run of injuries it became clear the squad was not strong enough and the only team Dockers beat in their final 18 starts was bottom-of-the-table Hertford. Tilbury eventually finished 19th.

Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003

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