City move quickly to capture new manager

ST ALBANS City have appointed Harrow Borough boss David Howell as the club’s new manager.

City confirmed the former England semi-pro international as manager over the weekend bringing an end to Howell’s seven year stint in the Harrow hotseat.

The 52-year-old guided Borough to the Ryman Premier Division play-offs last season as well as the FA Cup First Round but felt it was time for a fresh challenge.

“It was a difficult decision to leave Harrow because I have had such an emotional attachment to them,” explained Howell.

“I would like to thank them for so many good years. But I leave them in good shape and the time seems right to be accepting a new challenge.

“After being approached by Ian Ridley then meeting him, and after more talks with him and Lawrence Levy, I was impressed by the plans for St Albans City and what we might be able to achieve here.

“This seems to be an exciting time for the club and I would like to be part of making it successful again.”

Howell, who beat 20 other candidates to the job, enjoyed a successful playing career in the non-league game playing for Enfield and Barnet and will be joined at Clarence Park by his Harrow assistant Ken Charlery.

Saints chairman Ian Ridley who undertook the recruitment process was extremely pleased with the appointment.

“We are delighted David has agreed to join us,” said Ridley. “He has all the qualities and requirements the club needs at this period of its development.

“David is a man of character and substance who commands considerable respect and has an in-depth knowledge of the game and players at the level we find ourselves at.

“He has a track record of unearthing and developing promising talent, such as Albert Adomah, who is now at Bristol City, and Troy Hewitt of Queen’s Park Rangers, as well as producing attractive teams who play pacy football.

“We are confident, convinced even, that he will recruit and weld together a squad on a manageable budget to make us play-off contenders in the Southern League.”