FORMER West Ham defender Kenny Brown has been appointed assistant manager at Concord Rangers.

The 44-year-old will be number two to Danny Cowley, who became sole manager after joint boss Danny Scopes stood down at the end of the season.

Brown, who also played for Norwich, Plymouth Argyle and Millwall, and had a short loan spell with Southend United, was one of 15 candidates considered for the position.

He has managed Welsh side Barry Town in Champions League qualifiers, was in charge at Spanish lower league side CD Javea, and was assistant to Julian Dicks at Grays.

Cowley said he was delighted to bring in such an experienced campaigner.

“He has played at the highest level and that gives him the benefit of having learnt from some of the top coaches,” he said.

“He has a wealth of experience and that will help me because I am still young and learning the game.

“He’ll bring in a lot of new ideas and some great contacts too, and I think the fact that he has managed in the Champions League and has decided to come to Concord Rangers shows just how far we’ve come as a club.”

Last season Brown was in charge at a Tooting side relegated from the Ryman Premier following a turbulent season on and off the field, and Cowley said he’d “worked with one hand tied behind his back” at the South London club.

Cowley said: “I think it was the same for him at Grays where there was too much going on off the field for him to really concentrate on the job.”

The Beachboys’ manager said he’s looking at the possibility of installing a player/coach at the club and also bringing in a defensive coach to complete his backroom staff.