Jess King promoted as co-manager at Chatham Town Women alongside Keith Boanas, who takes on an additional Women’s Techincal Director role at the Bauvill Stadium

There’s a change at the top for Chatham Town Women.

Jess King is to step back from playing to join Keith Boanas as co-manager of the team.

King, 33, is well-travelled after a playing career that started with her home city of Liverpool and representing teams from Canada, Germany and Norway.

She joined Chatham Town in 2024 as a player-coach and will now step up to manage alongside Boanas, who will now hope to use his vast experience to help out across the age groups at the Bauvill Stadium in his additional role of women’s technical director.

Boanas, 67, is a highly respected coach and led Charlton Women to three FA Cup finals, winning the trophy in 2005.

His team back then included a number of women who are now in management roles, including Karen Mills, who has just led Charlton to the WSL, Canada’s international head coach Casey Stoney and Stevenage manager Sian Williams.

Crystal Palace Women’s manager Jo Potter is another of his former players.

He is now hoping he can help Chats and his new joint-boss King to achieve big things.

“I'm absolutely over the moon that she's agreed [to be co-manager],” said Boanas.

“I’ve been kind of mentoring her through her coaching badges anyway and so this is a natural progression.

“The real plus factor for me is she's an ex-WSL player, she knows the game. She's the female voice to add to the dressing room and the staff and, obviously, that can be a benefit.

“I trust her, which is the most important thing. It's a real plus factor for the club and I'm just looking forward to it. I know she is, she's excited about it.

“If she goes on in the future to higher levels, which I fully expect her to, then we can take credit that we played a part in that.”

King is currently working her way towards