Ady Pennock’s Far Eastern adventure is over after ending a successful five-year stint with Brunei side DPMM.
The former Gillingham player and manager led DPMM – Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club – to the Singapore Premier League title in his first season at the helm and in that same season was named the coach-of-the-year. He returns to his home in Gillingham this week looking for a new challenge.
“It’s been an incredible journey and I’ve loved every minute of it,” said the 52-year-old, in a message he posted on social media.
“I will miss everyone for sure but it’s time for a new adventure and more importantly to go home and see my wonderful family.”
Pennock, who made the headlines recently after becoming a lottery winner, is due home tomorrow (Wednesday).
Following their 2019 title win and a semi-final cup spot, DPMM withdrew from the Singapore League in 2020 due to travel restrictions imposed during the Covid pandemic and were again forced to miss out the following season because of the virus, instead playing in the Brunei Super League, which they topped after six games with a 100% record before once again football was suspended.
In December 2022, DPMM beat Kasuka to win the Brunei FA Cup, the only domestic action played that year in the country as football returned following the Covid-19 pandemic – a final watched by the club’s owner, the Crown Prince of Brunei.
DPMM were back playing in the Singapore Premier League for the 2023 season but were unable to compete at the top end of the table. Pennock informed the club of his decision to leave prior to their third/fourth place cup match played on Saturday, which they lost 2-0.
He described his title win, coach-of-the-year award and two semi-final appearances as “a great achievement” and thanked the Crown Prince along with his staff and players, past and present at DPMM.
Pennock praised the people of Brunei as being “arguably the kindest people on earth” but is now ready to take on a new challenge closer to home.
He’s previously had management spells in England at Welling, Forest Green, Gillingham and Barrow and also spent time on the coaching staff at Stoke City. As a player he played 168 league games for the Gills and captained the team at Wembley as they won promotion to the second tier at Wembley in 2000.
