Ajax connection kicks off new era at Olympic

Former Ajax, Bolton and West Bromwich Albion maestro Richard Sneekes was unveiled as the new manager of Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Rushall Olympic on Thursday night.

The Dutchman, pictured, a West Brom legend after seven years at the Baggies, replaces Neil Kitching who ended his five year reign at Dales Lane after Monday’s Walsall Senior Cup Final.

Kitching, along with his assistant manager Nick Amos, were hoping to leave on a high after announcing the week before that they were standing down but saw their side beaten 4-1 by First Division South Chasetown at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.

Respected UEFA B coach Steve Hinks, has been appointed as a direct replacement for Amos alongside Sneekes. He finished the season at Premier Division rivals Barwell and is widely credited with helping the club avoid relegation.

Sneekes, 45, came through the famed academy at Ajax and broke into the Dutch club’s first team at the age of 16 to be managed by the legendary Johan Cruyff. Also a UEFA B licenced coach, he went on to play for a number of clubs in England, most notably Bolton, the Baggies, Stockport County and Hull before hanging up his boots in Non-League at Dudley after a short spell at Hinckley United.

Last season, Sneekes, who has also worked at Hereford and was assistant manager at Tamworth, was one half of the management duo at First Division South Romulus alongside former Birmingham City player Dave Barnett.

Olympic Chairman John Allen believes the duo’s arrival signals the start of an exciting new chapter in the club’s history.

Allen, pictured right alongside Nick Allen, Sneekes and Hinks, said: "We are delighted to welcome Richard Sneekes and Steve Hinks to Rushall Olympic FC.

"Richard is determined to succeed and really looking forward to the opportunity within Non-League football at Evo-Stik Premier Division level to instill his footballing philosophies forged throughout a successful playing career, principles which have been influenced by a number of managers.

"He lives locally, has developed many contacts and has spent time broadening his experience of local Non-League football as well as coming to our club with a reputation as a fine coach.

"Steve Hinks will bring a real local feel to what we are trying to achieve at Rushall Olympic FC. He is also highly regarded as a coach and has many contacts within Midlands Non-League football and a vast knowledge of players in the area."

He added: "We have a tough challenge to face with change coming after three successive top eight finishes, an achievement which has firmly established the club in the Evo-Stik’s Premier Division.

"However, our ambition to progress as a club burns as brightly as ever and we look forward with optimism to the next chapter in the history of Rushall Olympic Football Club."