Former FC and Ducks manager Eaton unveiled as new Hemel boss
Former Aylesbury FC manager Mark Eaton
MARK Eaton, who has managed both of Aylesbury’s senior football teams, has been unveiled as the new boss of Hemel Hempstead Town following a five-month break from the game.
Eaton takes the Hemel role alongside ex-FC colleague Alan Biley and the duo are charged with turning the Tudors’ fortunes around and saving them from relegation.
Eaton was a divisive figure amoung the town’s football fans. Upon leaving Aylesbury United, the former Northampton player formed a new club – Aylesbury FC – set up from Aylesbury Vale.
He took a number of Ducks players with him across Aylesbury much to the fury of United’s fans.
But Eaton never hid his desire to merge the two clubs for the benefit of Aylesbury football. He was honest about his motives, which he claimed were simply to give Aylesbury the best possible chance of having a well supported and successful football team.
In his time at FC, ill-feeling from Ducks fans was not helped by their subsequent relegation coupled with FC’s instant rise up the football pyramid, a shift which meant Aylesbury United were not the town’s senior, highest-placed football team for what is believed to be the first time in their 115-year history.
Meanwhile, his time at FC came to an end last September when early season results did not meet his high expectations and he opted to leave the club with goalkeeper Steve Smith eventually handed the reigns.
Other notable achievements on Eaton’s CV include winning the Premier Division Cup and guiding FC into the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup.
Biley, meanwhile, has worked in partnership with Eaton for many years and has extensive contacts throughout the professional and non-league circles, having been a professional footballer at Derby County, Everton, Stoke and Portsmouth.
On taking over at Hemel, Eaton said: “Both Alan and I are delighted to be given this opportunity and are looking forward to working with the players and staff at the club.
“Although we face a big challenge, our priority will be doing everything in our power to keep them in the Southern Premier League.”
A Tudors club spokesman said: “Hemel Hempstead Town Football Club welcome Mark and Alan to the club and wish them every success in their new venture.”
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Weather for Aylesbury
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
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