Baldacchino returns to Erith & Belvedere - EXCLUSIVE
Former Slade Green assistant manager Wayne Baldacchino has returned to Erith & Belvedere - for a third time, writes Stephen McCartney.
He originally joined the club in 2002 as under 18 manager before moving on to the reserves where he won the first and second Division titles in succession.
He was appointed assistant manager to Mike Acland with the Deres 1st team in 2005 before moving to Slade Green to run the Reserves with Ray Bagnall, whose now at Greenwich Borough.
Baldacchino to the Deres in 2006 to assist Sean Clarke and Dave Fells with the reserves before re-joining Green to assist Peter Little with the first team at the start of the current season.
Speaking about his third return to the Park View Road club, Baldacchino, speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, said: “That is it for me now, for a while at least!
“I feel Erith & Belvedere is my home club as I used to watch them as a youngster at the old ground in Belvedere and my older brother Perry played for them along with Sean McFadden, chairman John McFaddens son.
“I have an affinity with the Deres and I have never wanted to leave as such, opportunities come along and you have to give them a go.
“My time at Slade Green has given me good experience but I am happy to stay with the Deres helping the reserves and the youth development.
“It is a great place to be most of the time and the committee are very supportive and professional.
“I could open a can of worms about my time with the Green but that is not really my style.
“What I would say is that I have been made more welcome back with the Deres in a few weeks than I did in a few months at the Small Glen but that is as far as I will go.
“I wish Adam and Luke Morrish the very best of luck in their new positions at Slade Green but I am back with Sean Clarke and Dave Fells now who are both good mates and we have a good time with the Deres, bouncing ideas and opinions off each other.
“My school and District teams also keep me busy but I enjoy trying to juggle the three teams on top of my full time job at school!
“I hope that Peter Little enjoys his time off as he manages from the heart and it was a shame we did not get to work with each other a bit longer.
“I speak to him regularly though and I know he is enjoying the rest. I hope that the future bring promotion to the Deres as the club is ready and waiting to take its place back in the next tier of football.”
The Deres wecome Kent Premier leaders Thamesmead Town to Park View Road in their next game, next Saturday, 10th November (3pm).
Visit Erith & Belvedere's website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk