McCalmon targets fast turnaround

Named on Thursday as the successor to Martin Wilkinson, McCalom, pictured, takes charge for the first time on Saturday when the second from bottom Greens host Fleet Town in EVO-STIK League Southern Central Division action.

As number two to Wilkinson last season when the club won promotion to the EVO-STIK League Southern as Hellenic League champions, McCalmon is no stranger to Yarnton Road and often took charge when he was away.

McCalom’s first act as manager before meeting the club’s squad at training on Thursday night was to secure the services of coaches Jermaine McSporran and Paul Harwood as his assistants and the skills of skipper Tom Franklin and midfiedler Lewis Brownhill after both turned down seven day advances to move elsewhere.

In a club statement, McCalmon told fans he hopes to make a number of new signings after making an immediate impact at the weekend by securing the club’s first win of the campaign.

The Green boss said: "It's great to be back at Yarnton Road and I can't wait to get started. [Central defender] Henry Owen will be signing back on imminently and others will follow in the coming weeks as my team and I go about trying to reverse this club’s poor start to the season."

After taking charge as caretaker manager following Wilkinson’s departure two weeks ago, former Walsall, Wycombe Wanderers and Doncaster Rovers striker McSporran guided the club to a 2-2 draw at Dunstable in his first game in charge, half the club’s points total to date of just two from a possible 21. The Greens also exited the FA Cup at the first hurdle and officials at Yarnton Road are not underestimating the task their new touchline team are facing.

The club said: “Kidlington FC are delighted to announce that Julian McCalmon has agreed to become our new first team manager and his first move was to secure the services of Jermaine McSporran and Paul Harwood as his assistants.

“The trio’s first job is to turn around the difficult start to the season. Everyone realises McCalmon has a tough task ahead of him and he will get every assistance possible from the club and its committee.”

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