IN a shock move that has left officials at Aveley FC 'disappointed' manager Brett Munyard has quit the club and joined neighbours Brentwood Town – who play the Millers in the FA Cup today (Saturday, 19 September).

Chairman Craig Johnson said "Disappointingly Brett called me on Thursday evening, just prior to training commencing and ahead of our important FA Cup tie with Brentwood on Saturday to tell me he was leaving to join our opponents.

"The timing could not have been worse. Adam Bailey-Dennis will take the team on Saturday and I trust the Millers Family will unite and get behind Adam and the lads."

There had been little to predict such a move might happen, though Munyard did look unhappy and somewhat stressed when he spoke with the club's press officer after Monday's defeat at the hands of Wingate.

He spoke about changes coming at the club, saying: "We need to work some things out over the next few weeks, there has to be some changes of personnel which I'm a little bit gutted about, but they've had enough lives."

Few anticipated the change would be his departure.

Munyard took charge of Aveley ahead of the 2025/26 season, succeeding Danny Scopes following the Millers' two-year stay in the National League South.

Following their relegation at the end of the 2024/25 season, he inherited a squad that required a complete rebuild, and despite the challenge of building an entirely new squad, Munyard put together a highly competitive side that performed strongly throughout the 2025/26 campaign, ultimately guiding the Millers to a second-place finish in the Isthmian League Premier Division where they lost in the semi-final play-off – 4-1 at home to Brentwood.

Brentwood then lost in the final to Billericay, managed by Scopes.

This season Brentwood have struggled and are currently bottom of the table, with just one win from seven matches.

The club have been noted big spenders in recent season, thanks to the largess of ambitious chairman Jez Dickinson.

He had parted company with manager Keith Rowland – another former Aveley boss – and assistant Steve Butterworth on Wednesday (16 September) and said: "Football and indeed life throws you curve balls but it's how you deal with them that truly defines you. The vision, journey, and success of Brentwood Town FC stays the same. My ambition, drive and focus will continue and in effect I will become even more determined. I obviously will need to find a new manager and assistant who shares this ambition and vision."

"We will be making a swift decision as said earlier so anybody that feels they are suitable for the Brentwood Town FC job please contact: [email protected]"

That swift decision took less than 24 hours.

Announcing the appointment of Munyard, Dickson said: "Brett is an incredibly focused results driven Manager who has proven himself wherever he has been.

"I spoke with Brett the morning after Keith's departure, and it was abundantly clear that we were totally aligned. We both knew it was right the moment we spoke which is very powerful in itself.

"Brentwood Town's ambition to gain promotion to the National League South and then beyond is unrelenting, and I have full confidence in Brett to deliver."

Munyard said: "I'm delighted to be joining Brentwood Town and genuinely excited about what lies ahead.

"From my first conversations with the club, it was clear that their ambition and vision matched my own. I'm an ambitious person and I want to be part of a club that wants to keep progressing, improving and pushing forward.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting the players, staff and supporters, and most importantly, getting to work."

That work will start after Saturday's FA Cup second qualifying round derby when former Miller Alex Akrofi will lead the side at Parkside.

Whether Munyard puts in an appearance on what is bound to be an emotionally-charged afternoon is not known.