Southend Manor have moved quickly to replace long-serving boss Mark Jenkins.

Jenkins and his management team of Andy Dixon and Dave Rolfe quit late last week from the highly-successful Foresters Essex Senior League club to be replaced by Steve Sinnett, who has a proven track record in management of reserve team football at senior status clubs, including Manor over the last few months.

"This move will provide him with the opportunity, as it did with Mark, to further develop his management skills," said Manor chairman Bob Westley.

He said that as a result of the withdrawal of a number of clubs from the Essex and Herts Border Combination, plus their ineligibility to compete in the Essex Intermediate League or Borough Combination, the club would no longer be running a reserve side.

Westley also revealed Manor have been forced to embark on a major capital investment programme to replace Southend Council-owned floodlights which are quickly becoming obsolete at their municipal Southchurch Park home.

"This is a necessary action if the club is to retain it's Senior League status and continue competing in the FA Cup and Vase competitions," Westley said.

Even if they do receive grants towards the cost, Manor are likely to need to find some £15,000 towards the cost themselves.

Published Tuesday, May 20, 2003

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