Date: Wed 22 Mar 2023

By Steve Whitney

Long-Serving Heath Stepping Down at AFC Dunstable

Pitching In Southern League Division One Central club AFC Dunstable have announced that long-serving manager Steve Heath will be standing down at the end of the season.

He has made the decision with the club preparing to have new owners and chairman.

A statement from the club reads: “The club would like to put on record its sincere thank to Steve Heath for his commitment, dedication and hard work throughout his time as manager.

“The progress the club has made on and off the field with hus input has been incredible.

“Winning the Spartan South Midlands League and promotion to Step 4 plus the Bedfordshire Senior Cup and Premier Cup titles will live long in the memory.

“We thank him for his support to the players, staff and committee over the years and whilst we are sad to see Steve go, we fully respect and understand his reasons and wish him well whatever he does next and Steve and his family will be welcome back to Creasey Park anytime.”

Heath joined the OD’s midway through the 2013/14 season.

The first team was in disarray due to the former management duo resigning and many of the players decided to leave, so Heath had a massive rebuilding job to do.

He guided the team to a mid-table position in the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division and handed many youngsters their first team debuts.

Season 2014/15 season saw him strengthen the side which saw the club finish third in the league and the following season the club went all out to clinch the Premier Division title and success was achieved.

In Heath’s and the club’s first attempt at Step 4, a very respectful seventh place was secured, and the Bedfordshire Senior Cup was won.

At the beginning of this 2017/18, a 2-0 win over Luton Town saw the club lift the Bedfordshire Premier Cup.

In the 2021/22 season Heath guided the club to third in the league and a play-off spot, as well as a record-breaking Emirates FA Cup campaign taking the club to the Third Qualifying Round.

Heath said: “After ten years and over 400 games as manager of AFC Dunstable, I feel now is the right time for me to announce that this is going to be my last season.

“I had made this decision privately a few months ago as I felt I had taken the club as far as I could.

“With the new owners/chairman being put in place in the coming days/weeks and having told the players a couple of weeks ago, I feel this nis the right time for it to be announced.

“I am very proud of what we have achieved in the last ten years; I am taking away so many great memories. I feel I have been lucky to have met so many good people along the way.

“I’ve managed some good footballers over the years who have also become good friends.

“I would just like to thank everyone involved with the club, all the coaches and staff who I’ve worked with over the years and especially Matt Langston, who has been with me since day one.

“I’d like to finish by saying that I will continue to work as hard as I have always done to make sure the new owners/chairman and manager have a solid foundation for next season”.

AFC Dunstable Web Site

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