We are delighted to welcome Alex Sykes to the Spiers & Hartwell Stadium, becoming our new Assistant Manager. He replaces Anton Sambrook who has left the club. We thank Anton for all his efforts in helping us reach the play-offs.
Alex will be no stranger to supporters having managed in our division for many years and after leaving Cinderford Town recently. On his appointment, Manager Mike Ford said
“I lost my number two Anton, who did a brilliant job for me. He is a fantastic fellow and the best man at my wedding. He has not moved on to anything in football, as he can no longer make the commitment for next season. I wish him all the best”
“I have taken Alex from Cinderford Town, where he did a good job in difficult circumstances. I didn’t know him particularly well, I liked him as a man and a football person from the conversations we had. I am really looking forward to working with him as he has lots of experience and was a good player in his own right. He knows the players at this level and I think we are lucky to have him.”
Alex on joining Evesham.
I had a telephone call from the gaffer just after I resigned from Cinderford Town and we got together to have a conversation.
Certainly Mike’s experience is something I can learn from. We are both in education but there is an old adage, every day is a learning day! Evesham has been on my radar for some time. I live relatively locally and I was in for the manager’s job not so long back, before taking the Cinderford Town job. It was an easy decision to make. I know a lot about the club, previously being at Gloucester City. Evesham are now ready to go up the Steps.
I have been here loads of times and know the set up. There is good support, especially having experienced it first hand as an opposition manager and also when seeing games when not involved.
The chance to work with Mike was a bit of a no brainer, with me knowing him for a long time, but not being close necessarily. After various conversations, it was pivotal for me to try and help add value to what Mike is doing. Being in the locality means I know the local players. Certainly my coaching style will help and for the point of view for the gaffer, also being able to bounce ideas of somebody else who has been in that position, having managed over 400 games at this level and played at two, three, four levels above. I am hoping the experience I have got will help complement what is there with the gaffer and Byrnie, that’s the plan really.
As a manager I feel like I have done three YTS’s!! At Bishop’s Cleeve, Shortwood United, including the FA Cup run and some backing, and Cinderford Town, a tough job for different reasons. It is pleasing to come into a setup that is ripe and ready.
Alex Sykes
In May 2011, Alex was appointed as manager of Bishop’s Cleeve. In his first season as manager, he led Bishop’s Cleeve to the club’s then record high league finish of 11th in the Southern League South & West
At the end of his second season as boss, in April 2013, he stepped down from his role as manager at the club. In May 2013 he became joint-manager at fellow Southern League club Shortwood United alongside John Evans. He would eventually take sole charge of the club following the retirement of John Evans at the end of the 2015-16 season. After leading the side for the 2016-17 season, he left Shortwood in April 2017. In January 2018, Alex was appointed as assistant manager Redditch United. In October 2021 he was appointed manager of Cinderford Town and left at the end of the 2022-23 season.
Alex started his playing career in the Football League with Mansfield Town. However he is best known for his time at Forest Green Rovers from 1996 to 2004 where he played 295 times scoring 73 goals in two spells and a loan. He was also a fans favourite at Gloucester City where he scored 60 goals in 160 appearances. Alex played for other teams such as Nuneaton Borough, Bath City and Bishops Cleeve. He is a former England Futsal international.
