Experienced duo named as Whitstable management team

[FF News]

Ian Cox and Wayne Wilson have been named as the new joint managers of Ryman South Whitstable Town.

The experienced duo were unveiled on Tuesday morning as the successors to Simon Halsey, just over a week after his departure from The Belmont.

Cox stood down as head coach at Ramsgate on Monday to team up with Wilson who gave up the captaincy at Faversham Town with the blessing of the Lilywhites to take up his first permanent management role.

In the past, the 30-year-old former Stevenage Borough and Bromley midfielder has twice guided Margate as caretaker manager as well as making more more than 350 appearances in the Ryman League.

Former Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Burnley and Gillingham defender Cox, 44, is no stranger to the Non-League scene. Before joining Ramsgate in June, the Trinidad international turned out for Maidstone and played under Nicky Southall at the Oystermen during the club's record-breaking FA Trophy run in 2013.

Both Cox and Wilson work with Gillingham and beat more than 20 other applicants from as far afield as Northern Ireland the Potteries to the post after making a final shortlist of three candidates who were interviewed on Monday.

Whitstable Town chairman Gary Johnson is delighted to have secured the services of the experienced pair who've been tasked with securing the club's Ryman League status with 23 fixtures and exactly half the season still to play.

Johnson, who thanked all the candidates for their interest, said: "The three shortlisted candidates each in turn illustrated desire and passion. It really was a close run case in the appointment of Wilson and Cox but the board voted unanimously to make their third managerial appointment of the season.

"Congratulations to Wayne and Ian on their appointment. We believe they have the character, knowledge and the necessary contacts. They have already highlighted immediate targets to join the Oystermen and if they pull these signings off then there is no reason why the Town cannot rise at last this season."

Richard Langley, who stepped into the breach to hold the fort after Halsey's departure, is expected to take charge for one last time on Tuesday night when the Oystermen host Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup.

Thanking him for stepping in, Johnson added: "The club are indebted to Richard Langley, a thoroughly professional coach who has once again been a safe pair of hands."

Source: www.isthmian.co.uk

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