Maidstone United part company with boss Harry Wheeler

MAIDSTONE UNITED have parted company with manager Harry Wheeler by mutual consent.

The decision comes after the 3-1 defeat at Dover Athletic on Boxing Day, which made it five consecutive defeats which leaves the club second-from-bottom in the Vanarama National League table with 19 points from 25 games, five points adrift of safety.

Former Billericay Town and Welling United manager Wheeler was appointed in September and despite taking the club to the Second Round of The FA Cup and FA Trophy, league form has not lived up to expectations with just 12 points from 15 games.

Chief executive Bill Williams told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk: “Following discussions between the directors and Harry, it was decided that, given our league position at this stage of the season, both parties should go their separate ways.

“We thank Harry for the time and effort he put in and wish him well for the future.

“Let me be candid, this is not a situation any of us wanted to find ourselves in and I share the disappointment and responsibility for it.

“However, we now need everyone to pull together, in what are testing times for our club, as we do our damnedest to stay in this league.”

Tristan Lewis and Simon Walton will be in caretaker charge for at least Saturday’s game at eleventh-placed Boreham Wood and the New Year’s Day fixture at home to fifth-from-bottom side Dover Athletic.

In total, Wheeler was in charge of Maidstone United for 21 games in all competitions, winning seven and losing 10. 

Wheeler took over following Steve Watt's caretaker role in which he lost to Gateshead (0-1); Sutton United (0-1) and Salford City (0-1) after Jay Saunders - who is now on Bromley's coaching staff - left by mutual consent in August after seven successful years in charge of his home-town club.

Wheeler's departure from Maidstone comes a day after third-from-bottom side Chesterfield parted company with Martin Allen after their 4-0 home defeat to Solihull Moors on Boxing Day.  The club won four of their 25 league games and they are four points clear of The Stones.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk