Brett Munyard leaves ‘disappointed’ Aveley to join Brentwood Town ahead of FA Cup clash

Brett Munyard has left Aveley to join Essex rivals Brentwood Town just two days before the clubs meet in the FA Cup, with Millers chairman Craig Johnson saying the timing “could not have been worse”.

The club confirmed Munyard was leaving after just one year in charge to become Brentwood’s new manager on Thursday, ahead of Saturday’s second qualifying round tie between the two clubs at Parkside.

Last season, he guided Aveley to second in the Isthmian Premier following their relegation from the National League South, while Brentwood finished fifth.

However, it was the Blues who ended the Millers’ promotion hopes with a 4-1 play-off semi-final victory before losing 2–1 to Danny Scopes’ Billericay Town in the final.

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Timing

The two sides have yet to meet in the league this season and will face each other twice more after Saturday’s FA Cup clash, but Johnson made his frustration clear over the timing of Munyard’s switch.

Johnson said: “Disappointingly Brett called me this evening, just prior to training commencing and ahead of our important FA Cup tie with Brentwood on Saturday to tell me he was leaving to join our opponents.

“The timing could not have been worse.

“Adam Bailey-Dennis will take the team on Saturday and I trust the Millers family will unite and get behind Adam and the lads.”

Aveley have won three of their opening eight games, while Brentwood’s season has taken a very different turn, losing six in a row after winning their opener – a run which prompted Keith Rowland’s departure.

He left the club alongside assistant Steve Butterworth after three years in charge on Wednesday.

Rowland took over midway through the 2023–24 campaign before suffering defeat in the Isthmian League North Division play-off final.

However, he guided the Blues to the title in his second season before another play-off final appearance last term following their return to Step 3.

Ambition

Munyard brings plenty of experience to The Brentwood Centre Arena, having previously managed Maldon & Tiptree, Brightlingsea Regent and White Ensign.

Once his move was confirmed by Brentwood on Friday morning, Munyard told the club: “I’m delighted to be joining Brentwood Town and genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

“From my first conversations with the club, it was clear that their ambition and vision matched my own.

“I’m an ambitious person and I want to be part of a club that wants to keep progressing, improving and pushing forward.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the players, staff and supporters, and most importantly, getting to work.”

Munyard had already addressed his departure in a statement released on X on Thursday night.

He said: “Although this is a statement, and there are of course reasons behind my decision, I don’t feel the need to go into detail on certain things.

“What I will say is that this has been a hugely difficult decision to make, and I’m extremely sad to be leaving Aveley.

“For the past 18 months, my entire life has been dedicated to making this club as successful as it possibly can be.

“I’ve lived and breathed the job every single day, and I can’t thank everyone involved enough for the support they’ve given me along the way.”

Munyard went on to pay tribute to chairman Johnson, his fellow club officials, supporters, volunteers, players and staff, before adding: “The relationships we’ve built and the bond we’ve shared mean far more to me than any result ever could.

“Thank you for your trust, your commitment, your loyalty and for everything you gave me.”

Right man

Brentwood chairman Jez Dickinson said he was quickly convinced Munyard was the right man for the job.

“Brett is an incredibly focused, results-driven manager who has proven himself wherever he has been,” he said.

“I spoke with Brett the morning after Keith’s departure, and it was abundantly clear that we were totally aligned.

“Brentwood Town’s ambition to gain promotion to the National League South and then beyond is unrelenting, and I have full confidence in Brett to deliver.”

Munyard, meanwhile, will have to watch on as his new club face his former side just days after his switch, with interim boss Alex Akrofi set to lead the Blues against Aveley.

He will most likely take charge of Brentwood for the first time on Tuesday night, for the visit of Maldon & in the Isthmian Premier.

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