AFC Hornchurch appoint Waltham Abbey boss Mark Stimson as manager

Former Gillingham and Stevenage Borough boss Mark Stimson is the new manager of AFC Hornchurch.
The 50-year-old left his position in charge of Waltham Abbey this morning to take the hotseat at Bridge Avenue, replacing long-serving boss Jimmy McFarlane who stood down this week after 10 years at the club.
Stimson, the former Newcastle United, Portsmouth and Southend player, is one of the most accomplished Non-League matches left in the game having led three successive FA Trophy triumphs with Grays Athletic (twice) and Stevenage.
After three years managing Gillingham in League One, Stimson went onto take charge of Barnet in League Two before coming back into Non-League with Kettering Town and Thurrock, where he spent six years before the club’s demise earlier this year.
Announcing his departure, Waltham Abbey said in a statement: “This morning, our first-team manager Mark Stimson has informed chairman John Martin that he has decided to leave the club and take up the offer of manager at Bridge Avenue. The draw of the higher league and other football factors were a key part in Mark’s decision.
“The club are naturally disappointed at this time in losing such an experienced manager and despite some recent results not going our way are confident that our form would return in good time to keep us in the play-off positions.
“Our chairman and Mark have both wished each other all the best for the future and the club would like to place on record it’s thanks to Mark for all the hard work that he and his staff have put into the club until this time.
“Assistant Tim Olomofe will take charge of the team against FC Romania on Saturday.”