Ford unveiled as new Wings boss

ANDY FORD has returned to football management, having been unveiled as the new manager of Blue Square South strugglers Welling United today, replacing Neil Smith who has since signed for Bromley.

Ford will meet the Wings squad early on Saturday in a pre-match meeting before taking charge of his first game when Cambridge City visit Park View Road.

Ford was the manager of Blue Square Premier side Gravesend & Northfleet (now called Ebbsfleet United) from September 1997 to January 2005.

He secured promotion for the Fleet in 2002 when they were promoted from the Ryman Premier League, seeing off the challenge from Essex side Canvey Island, into the top flight of non-league football.

He also had a seven-month spell as Stevenage Borough’s assistant manager from July 2005.

Ford will already know a number of Welling’s current squad of players. The likes of Jamie Turner, Francis Duku and Chris Moore were all players at the Fleet during Ford’s reign at Stonebridge Road.

The Wings, currently in 19^th place in the Blue Square Premier and just two points clear of the drop zone with 17 games remaining, received 23 applications for the job.

“His experience at this level and knowledge of the non-league scene was the deciding factor,” said Barrie Hobbins, the club’s secretary when speaking to www.wellingunited.com

"His success at Gravesend, gaining promotion to the Conference National tipped the scales in his favour.”

Ford is already close to appointing his assistant and hopes to do so within the next few days.

During his vast playing career, Ford had spells at a number of different clubs, including Swindon Town, Southend United and Gillingham.

Article courtesy of www.wellingunited.com


Welling United v Cambridge City
Blue Square South
Saturday 2^nd February 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Park View Road, Welling, Kent DA16 1SY