Former Welling United boss Harry Wheeler has been appointed as the new manager of Maidstone United.

It’s straight down to work for the former Billericay Town, St Albans and Welling Utd man, who took 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 with Steve Watt having left the club after being placed in temporary charge following Jay Saunders’ departure.

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.