FORMER Billericay Town manager Harry Wheeler has been named as the new manager of Maidstone United.

The man who led Billericay to glory on three fronts last year is the replacement for Jay Saunders at the National League club.

It comes after he was dismissed by Town's Glenn Tamplin, a decision the owner has since said he regrets.

Wheeler became the youngest person to gain the UEFA A-Licence and 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 told Maidstone's website: “For me this is not taking a chance, it’s giving a chance – much like we did with Jay some seven years ago.

“Harry'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.”

First team coach Tristan Lewis and sports scientist Craig Lewis have also left Billericay Town.