AFC Croydon Athletic are delighted to announce the arrival of Lee Roots (‘Rootsy’) as new Joint-Manager at the club.

Formerly of Holmesdale FC, Lee Roots joins with Adam Groom (Assistant), Jon Coleman (Assistant Coach), Adam Porter (Goalkeeping coach) and Kean Wood (Player Analysis).

Kevin Rayner has welcomed the new arrivals in the dugout: “I’m pleased to add Lee to the management team for what will be an exciting future for the club. Both Ean and Gary will continue in their roles. This is about expanding and utilising the coaching squad to stand the best chance of achieving our aspirations. I have known Lee for a long time, he will be a great addition and I’m confident he’ll improve our team as we look to progress over the coming years. We’re looking forward to starting the new season. I’m sure we can be competitive in the 2023/23 season and surprise some teams out there.”

Lee Roots has penned his own statement:

“I am absolutely honoured and delighted to accept the position of Joint Manager of AFC Croydon Athletic. It’s a truly fantastic and prestigious football club. A huge thank you to Paul, Kevin, Seán and literally everyone involved at the club for not only giving me the opportunity to manage and work here, but for such an open and warm welcome. In my time already I have been really impressed by the whole environment that is created at the club. Our history is compelling and there is lots of growth & great optimism for our future ahead. I’m really looking forward to getting down to work with the very talented players that we already have here, along with new and correct player additions for the start of our pre-season training. I have been very close with Kevin for many, many years now and for me personally, it’s a great privilege to able to continue and build on the great work with him, that he & the staff are doing here.

I feel there’s everything needed at our disposal within the club to go and really now take the club up onto the next level within our ambitions and targets that we have set. This brings a whole new excitement and motivation in my work when building towards the kick off for a new season. We will bring an exciting brand and expression of football to the Mayfield Stadium for our great loyal fan base to enjoy and get behind!! 

Hard work delivers results and we will prepare extremely well and detailed in all our pre-season preparations in order to go attack the league and every competition we face this year from the beginning. We feel very confident of the squad we can build here, as a management team we are strong, educated & well experienced in what exactly is needed in order to achieve our quest of gaining a promotion and ultimately, returning the club back to step 4 & Isthmian League football.

I can’t wait to get started & I look forward to not only the new season ahead, but to many more seasons beyond of continued and upwards success with and for AFC Croydon Athletic!!

UP THE RAMS!!

 Rootsy”

All at the club send our best wishes to Lee Roots and our new recruits.

Details of our pre-season schedule will follow shortly.