Kings Langley Appoint New Manager

Kings Langley, relegated to the Pitching In Southern League Division One Central, have announced the appointment of Jordan Parkes as their new manager.

The club moved swiftly to appoint Parkes following the surprise departure of Chris Winton earlier this week.

The 33-year-old joined Kings Langley as player-coach in November 2019.

He had been with Billericay Town since May 2019 when he joined from Hemel Hempstead Town where the midfielder was club captain.

He is also a well-known free-kick specialist, scoring his 100th goal for the club from a set-piece in a 1-0 win over Dulwich Hamlet in December 2018.

He also took on the temporary role of player-manager alongside Darren Ward after the departure of Dean Brennan and Stuart Maynard in 2018, guiding the club to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and several league wins.

He started out at Watford, where he made one senior appearance as well as loan spells with Brentford, Barnet and Stevenage.

He made a permanent move to Barnet in 2010 and played 51 times.

Capped by England at under-18 and under-20 level, he went on to serve Chelmsford City and Ebbsfleet United before returning for a second spell with Hemel in July 2016.

In taking on the role of first team manager, Parkes will be ideally placed to preside over a pathway creating opportunities for aspiring players, as he also heads up JP Pro Football, which is dedicated to the development and progression of young players,

Parkes’ wealth of experience in both the professional and non-League game, together with his proven success in the development of young players, is seen as the perfect complement to realise the club’s ambition of a swift return to Step 3 of the National League system.

Kings Langley chairman Darren Eliot trold his club’s website: “We are absolutely delighted to have appointed Jordan. He is someone who knows the club well and has the perfect experience to take on this role.

“His previous spell as a player saw him quickly become a fan favourite and we are confident he will mould a team capable of delivering results and exciting the Langley faithful.”

Parkes said: “I’ve had a connection to Kings Langley for a number of years and I know how much this club means to so many. I’m excited to take on this challenge and work is already underway to build a side that can compete at Step 4, with the aim of returning to Step 3 as soon as possible.

“I plan to make the most of my background and experience in developing young players and I’ll be building a squad that will utilise experienced players while striving to create a direct pathway between the club’s youth teams and first team”.

Kings Langley Web Site