Ebbsfleet United are delighted to announce the appointment of our new chief executive officer, Damian Irvine.

Irvine began work at the Kuflink Stadium today, meeting office staff for the first time as he steps into the shoes of recently departed CEO Dave Archer.

The Australian, 45, joins the Fleet as a safe and experienced pair of hands having achieved success in the EFL and Rugby League over many years.

As chairman of top-tier rugby-league club Cronulla Sharks in Australia, Irvine led a financial and cultural turnaround before joining Notts County in the EFL where he received industry recognition for innovative commercial and marketing work.

He was a key figure in the resurgence of Wycombe Wanderers’ off-field fortunes from 2015 to 2018, culminating in the club’s promotion to League One, before answering the call to return to Rugby League to assist in the rebuild of key strategic brand The Bradford Bulls.

Since then, he has overseen Bradford (Park Avenue)’s financial turnaround, making the National League North club a more sustainable venture, securing a number of key sponsorships in the process as they made the play-offs last season. Most recently he was appointed as a director at Betfred League 1 Hunslet RLFC.

Ebbsfleet owner and chairman Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi commented, “The appointment of Damian as new CEO heralds a new era for the football club. Damian has the proven track record to bring stability and growth to Ebbsfleet United.

“I would also hope this appointment serves to reiterate my continued commitment to our great club.”