SPHINX have opted to promote from within by giving club captain Robbie Banks his first step onto the managerial ladder.
The Midland League Premier Division club confirmed this week that Banks will replace out-going boss Luke Hopkins as their first team manager.
Despite his lack of managerial experience having just joined Sphinx in the summer as a player, club chairman Dannie Cahill has put his faith in rookie Banks.
“Robbie is currently our Club Captain and since his arrival in the summer he has shown great maturity together with strong leadership qualities,” said Cahill.
“He is also well respected by all the players which is a vital attribute to have.
“Although he falls short in managerial experience his attitude and professionalism since his arrival well makes up for it.
“With this in mind he has brought in well experienced back room staff to assist him.”
Cahill revealed he had a number of options from other local managers but decided that Banks was the right man for the challenge ahead.
He continued: “since the departure of Luke (Hopkins) we have received a lot of interest from well experienced managers from around the Midlands which clearly demonstrates just how far this club has gone in recent years and is a testament to everybody involved in the football club.
“Managers’ careers have to start somewhere and we as a club have the confidence to help devoted players such as Robbie to get onto the managerial ladder.
“At this level Robbie’s appointment could be seen as a risk but the support he will get from everybody involved will help him grow into his new post. We all wish him well.”
Sphinx currently sit 19th in the Midland League Premier Division having won just four games out of 14 played this season.
But Banks is confident he can turn the club’s fortunes around, starting with an away fixture against 13th placed Loughborough University.
“It’s a great opportunity for myself and I’m looking forward to getting started,” said Banks.
“I love the club and the people involved, it has an amazing set up from the bottom to the top and has a lot of ambition which I share
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Luke and Chris who did a great job, for different reasons results didn’t quite go our way but things don’t always work out in football. Luke set the standards high in terms of application, good habits and professionalism which I have now inherited
“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Martin Ascroft, Lynton Wilkinson, Craig Reid and Tom Cudworth for stepping in at short notice to steady the ship during the transition period
“I’m very positive about our team and the players within it, I think we are currently under achieving and it’s now my responsibility to ensure the team changes that which I’m more than confident we will.”
