GILES IS THE NEW GAFFER

Corinthian-Casuals are delighted to announce the appointment of Liam Giles as our new first-team manager.

Giles, who takes the role with immediate effect, was present at both our games this weekend, along with his assistant managers, Harrison Williams and Paul Oliver (pictured flanking the new manager above).

The trio – who will be joined by goalkeeper coach, Ryan Stratton – have worked together for close to two years, most recently at Horsham YM, where they reached the play-offs in the step-five Southern Combination Premier Division last season.

Chairman, Brian Adamson, has been following Giles’ progress in management for a while now, and spoke of his delight at getting his man.

“Liam was a candidate two years ago when we interviewed him for the job,” said Adamson. “He was unfortunate at that time not to get the job but I’ve kept an eye on him since.

“He told me that not getting the Casuals job was one of the most disappointing times for him – he really wanted it and thought we could do a good job with us. Since then, he’s been at Horsham YM, got them into the play-offs, and I’m now very happy that he’s been successful this time around. I’m sure he will work really hard and do the club proud.”

Giles, who has previously managed Croydon FC and Epsom & Ewell, gave his first interview as Corinthian-Casuals manager to Dom Bliss earlier today…

What are your feelings upon taking this role at Corinthian-Casuals?

I’m over the moon. I was interested in the job a couple of years ago, and was disappointed not to get it then. I figured it happened for a reason. It’s a huge club and I’m absolutely delighted to be able to come in and hopefully get the club back on the right track on the field.

You’re coming in after a difficult start to the season, but it’s so early and there’s plenty of time to recover, isn’t there?

Oh, absolutely. And I think what was quite nice is we’ve been able to watch the team twice now. So it allows us the opportunity to assess the current squad. We will have bodies coming through the door as well to strengthen and improve what’s already here. And look, seven games gone, there’s still 31 games left, so there are a lot of points to play for.

What do you know about the club, its support and its standing in the game?

I said to Brian, when we spoke, that there’s probably not another Step Five club that would’ve excited me the way Casuals has. I think, in terms of levels and stature, the club should be a lot higher than Step Five. The fans here are something that I really am excited about. Everywhere we’ve been, we’ve always engaged really well with the support and I think it’s so important. When you talk about a 12th man… at Casuals, it genuinely is that. I’ve seen it first-hand and seen it online and they are so important, so hopefully we can give them something to smile about.

Yesterday we celebrated inspiring the founding of one of the biggest clubs in the world, so you’ve got a global following here as well.

Oh, yeah. It is surreal, and even when you look at a documentary, Brothers in Football, watching the team traveling out to Brazil was incredible. I am absolutely privileged to be able to work at this football club.

We’ll have to start with nuts and bolts of it, though, and that means getting stuck into the games as they come thick and fast at this level. How ready are you and your coaching team to get going?
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Yeah, we’re ready. We’re always about our attention to detail, and our work ethic is huge. We speak numerous times a day, and I think we’ll be bringing in some players that will understand and know that, who have worked with us and will bring the standards and the culture that we want to bring. It’s about creating the right environment, and we’re ready to go. We always say it, but we’re winners and that’s what we look to do from day one, is start getting points on the board and start making Casuals feel like a genuine force in this league.