Hornchurch appoint former Cardiff City manager, Millwall striker and Welsh international Steve Morison as their new manager
Hornchurch last night delivered a managerial appointment which was both unexpected and astounding in equal measure, with the installation of former Cardiff City boss Steve Morison as their new boss.
Morison was in charge of Championship side City as recently as September last year, and prior to his time at the helm in the Welsh capital had a successful playing career. After coming through the youth ranks at Northampton Town to reach the first team he ended up at Bishop’s Stortford, then in Conference South, and helped the Blues to the Semi-Final of the FA Trophy. From there onwards it was up and up for the striker, an FA Trophy triumph with Stevenage coming next, before a move into the Football League with Millwall.
Success at the New Den- and a Welsh international debut- was followed by a move to Norwich City, with Elland Road and Leeds United the next stop. That didn’t work out, and it was back to Millwall, first on loan and then permanently, and he was a critical part of the side that made it back to the Championship via the Play Offs, scoring the winning goal at Wembley.
Following his retirement from playing he saw his career go full circle, returning to Northampton Town as a coach, and after spending some time coaching at Millwall became head coach of Cardiff City’s Under 23 side in early 2020. His success there eventually earned him the top job in the Autumn of 2021, and he remained in charge of the side before his tenure came to an end in September last year.
Urchins Chair Alex Sharp told the club website:
‘From the first time I spoke with Steve I knew we had found our next Manager. I was drawn in by the Millwall connection, but then so impressed by his experience, professionalism and how driven he is. I have loved listening to his plans of how he intends to take the club forward and I love the fact that he thinks nothing of dropping down to non-league to create opportunities going forward. Everyone I’ve spoken to in the game from Rob Lee, to Shaun Derry, speaks highly of Steve and I really can’t wait to get going. Steve brings with him Anthony Fenton as his assistant, who is also very well thought of in football and I’m excited at the thought of the players that Steve and Anthony will have access to and can bring to Hornchurch FC.
We have a great squad at the club and the players are very excited to meet Steve and to see how he will help develop their careers and to that end I’m delighted to announce that Jamie Southon will join Steve’s management team which will undoubtedly help maintain the stability that we have grown to expect. The Board are super excited to make these appointments, we can’t wait for our fans to meet Steve and Anthony and I’m personally counting down the days until we get pre-season underway, I really can’t wait
