Brett Munyard Leaves Aveley For Brentwood

Brett Munyard has left Aveley to become Brentwood Town's new First-Team Manager, ending a nine-month spell that saw him guide the Millers to a second-place finish in the Isthmian Premier after rebuilding the squad from scratch following relegation from National League South.

It's a move between two Essex rivals, and it comes at a difficult moment for his new club.

Rowland's exit, and a tough start

Munyard replaces Keith Rowland, who left Brentwood by mutual consent on 16 September after three years in charge. Rowland's spell was a productive one by the club's own account: a play-off final in his first season, the Isthmian North title the year after, and another play-off final last term on Brentwood's return to the Premier Division-  plus a run to the FA Trophy quarter-finals that included away wins over Hereford United and a 5–3 win over Southend United.

But results this season fell away sharply. Brentwood have won just one of their opening six Isthmian Premier fixtures, sitting 20th of 22 with a goal difference of −5, and chairman Jez Dickinson described it as "an extremely tough start" when announcing Rowland's departure. It's that form Munyard has been brought in to turn around.

The record that got him the job

Munyard's own CV shows a manager who's moved regularly but delivered wherever he's landed. Two promotions at White Ensign. A survival job at Brightlingsea Regent after an eight-game losing run. A nine-match unbeaten start at Maldon & Tiptree, cut short by an ownership change. And then Aveley, where he took over a squad gutted by relegation and had them second in the table by May.

Dickinson moved quickly once Rowland departed, saying he and Munyard were "totally aligned" from their first conversation - a manager whose recent record compares well with the one he's replacing.

The Aveley fixture

Brentwood's next match is the Emirates FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, away at Aveley - Munyard's old club. By the club's own confirmation, though, he won't be taking charge for it. Interim boss Alex Akrofi leads the side at Parkside, with Munyard stepping in officially once the tie is over.

What it means for both clubs

For Aveley, it's a second managerial change in short order, and interim boss Akrofi now gets an FA Cup tie to make his own case. For Brentwood, Munyard arrives with a strong recent record and an immediate job to do - steadying a side that's currently closer to the relegation zone than anywhere else in the table.