Brett Munyard leaves Aveley for Brentwood Town ahead of FA Cup match

The progression of Brentwood Town to the FA Cup round of 16 is confirmed, while the departure of Brett Munyard from Aveley, a few hours before kickoff, leaves the hosts bitter after a decisive 2‑3 defeat on their own ground.

A last‑minute club change

Brett Munyard, a 35‑year‑old amateur coach, was at the helm of Brentwood Town when he took charge of Aveley on the very pitch where the match was being played. He had managed Aveley a few days earlier and led his team to a 2‑3 victory.

The Sun newspaper highlighted that Munyard had spent a “rather glorious” season at Aveley, achieving a fine second place in the Isthmian Premier after escaping the relegation zone of the National League South, two of the British amateur leagues.

The hosts' chairman, Craig Johnson, did not hide his bitterness: “To our great disappointment, Brett called me this evening, just before training began and a few days before our important FA Cup match against Brentwood, to tell me that he was leaving the club to join our opponent. The timing could not have been worse.”

The quirks of English football are enough to make one smile, as this episode shows where a coach moves from one club to its rival on the eve of a decisive fixture. The matter quickly fueled discussions on social media.

Brentwood Town is now preparing to face its next opponent in the FA Cup, while Aveley will have to rebuild its staff before returning to the National League South next season.