Takeley Football Club have appointed a new manager following Steve Castle’s departure last month.

Dunmow Broadcast: His assistant Steve GrenfellHis assistant Steve Grenfell (Image: Archant)

Chairman Pat Curran announced that former Crystal Palace player Tony Gold will take over as the new first team manager.

During his career Gold has had success playing, coaching and managing. He has played for teams such as Hendon FC and Harrow Borough, as well as now Premier League side Palace.

In 2000 he started taking coaching badges and obtained Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 / UEFA B, followed in 2002 with Level 1 FA Coaching Futsal badge.

In 2007 he became player/manager at London Lions and in his second season as player/manager, guided the team to promotion, winning the Herts County Senior Premier Division in 2009/10. He went on to win again in 2007/08, 2010/11 and 2012/13, gaining promotion for the second time in five years.

Curran said: “Tony has excellent links to youth football and development ensuring future success and has an excellent knowledge, insight and passion for the game which is endorsed by his credentials and references.”

Gold will bring in Steve Grenfell as his assistant.

Grenfell was with Tottenham Hotspur for three seasons in the early ‘80s before being transferred to Colchester United, where he made more than 70 appearances.

After leaving the club, he had spells with non-league clubs including Bromley, Dagenham and Aylesbury United, where he made 48 league appearances in two seasons.

In 1997 he went back to Tottenham and worked in the Centre of Excellence Academy from the U11’s all the way through to the U16’s. In 2000 he ran the community football development team reporting to the club secretary and academy director.

Curran added: “Tony and Steve will be influential in guaranteeing the improvement and success of Takeley Football Club. The management committee and I are really looking forward to working with Tony and Steve to take the club to the next level.”

Steve Castle, who had been with Takeley for just over two years, took up the vacant manager post at Calor League, Division One Central side Royston Town at the end of last year.