Vines’ Management Return With Anvils

FORMER Crawley Town boss Francis Vines has returned to football management with Ryman South side Crawley Down Gatwick.

Vines, 51, has also previously managed Carshalton Athletic, Basingstoke Town, Farnborough Town and most recently Didcot Town, who he left in 2011.

As boss of the Red Devils, Vines led the club to the Conference Premier as Southern Premier champions in 2004 and later took Basingstoke to the second round of the FA Cup in 2006.

Vines takes over at the Haven Sportsfield from Simon Wormull who left last month due to personal reasons. The Anvils are currently 15th in the league.

“I am going back into management just down the road from my greatest years as a player and a manager, so I’m looking forward to the challenge,” Vines said.

“My target has never changed since I was a player. I want to win every game I take part in, no matter who it is. If we lose, hopefully we will lose having put in the right effort.”

Chairman Brian Suckling added:  “We are delighted to get someone of Francis’ quality. He stood out to us as someone who can lead the club forward.”