Harry Wheeler jumps into Maidstone United hotseat

Harry Wheeler is the new manager of Maidstone United.

And it’s straight down to work for the former Billericay Town, St Albans and Welling Utd man, who is taking his first training session this morning after agreeing terms with the club yesterday evening.

Wheeler, who at 23 years of age became the youngest person to gain the UEFA A-Licence, has agreed a deal until the end of this season.

He will take charge of his first game this Saturday – a home match against current league leaders Harrogate Town.

Club chief executive Bill Williams said: “For me this is not taking a chance, it’s giving a chance – much like we did with Jay some seven years ago.

“Terry, Oliver and I spoke at length with Harry yesterday and we were all agreed afterwards that he ticked every box for us.

“He’s got more than 10 years coaching experience, managed more than 250 games and is very much in the mould of the character and personality that we want at the club.

“In Harry we’ve got someone who can lead and take our team forward, while also buying into the academy, community and development programmes we’ve got underway and are looking to expand in the future.”

The 30-year-old played for Stevenage, Hampton & Richmond and his hometown club St Albans City. He’d later go on to be The Saints manager after three years as the club’s head coach.

He also has an excellent track record of working with younger players having been Head of Youth Development at Dagenham & Redbridge under the guidance of John Still.

Last season with Billericay, he led the club to a hat trick of success with the Isthmian Premier championship, alongside the league and county cups.

He will be joined by Head Coach Tristan Lewis and Sports Scientist Craig Lewis who this morning have left Billericay to make the move.

Harry replaces Caretaker Manager Steve Watt, who lost all three of his games in charge 1-0, but still threw his hat into the ring to take them forward.

He wrote in twitter today: “I would like to take this opportunity to say thanks to all the fans for their unbelievable support over the past few weeks, through a difficult period.

“It’s with regret that my time at the club has come to an end again. It was always a wish of mine to return and I can’t thank Jay enough for bringing me back.

“I wish everyone nothing but the best. The fans deserve it.”

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