Relegation-threatened Wokingham & Emmbrook have made a change in the dugout in a bid to avoid relegation from the Combined Counties League Premier Division North.
The Sumas are bottom of the table by five points from Chalfont St Peter but have a backlog of games that gives hope of overhauling the Buckinghamshire side.
Former Finchampstead assistant and Chalvey Sports boss Darren Purbrick is the man who has been entrusted with leading the survival charge after Matt Cronan’s departure moved up.
A statement released by the club said: Wokingham & Emmbrook FC has appointed the former Woodley United, Finchampstead and Chalvey Sports boss Darren Purbrick as its first team manager.
He succeeds Matt Cronan who was in charge of the Lowther Road club since September 2022. Cronan recently revealed his intention to leave the club at the end of the season to take up a role overseas.
With ten league games left, and the club sitting bottom of the Combined Counties League Premier Division North, the club felt it was the right time to make the change.
Mark Ashwell, President of the club, said: “I’d like to thank Matt for his dedication and professionalism during his time with us, and we all wish him well in his future endeavours.”
Purbrick’s first game in the dugout will come on Tuesday evening (April 9) versus Virginia Water at Stag Meadow, Windsor, before Saturday’s derby at home against Reading City.
He is no stranger to Lowther Road, having jointly guided the club’s under-18s to third place, and a cup final, in the 2022/23 Allied Counties Youth League.
Speaking to club media, Purbrick spoke of his determination as he takes over on the touchline.
He said: “I’ve been at the club for a good amount of time now, and have become part of the amazing Sumas family.
“We have to get straight to work, and we will be putting all our effort into our remaining games, starting with Tuesday night against Virginia Water.”
Purbrick will be joined by former first-team manager and Wokingham Town player Matt Eggleston in the dugout, alongside Jamie Shepherd and Oscar Crowley who will remain in the coaching set-up.
