Wells have links with the famous

Joining Gray will be former long-serving Wells midfielder Carl Wells and Noel Bradbury will be playing a role in coaching.

Bradbury was manager of the under 18 side at neighbouring Tonbridge Angels last term.

He is a committed coach and works alongside former England midfielder Neil Ruddock at the Pass and Move Soccer School.

This is a school which seeks to help talented young footballers who have almost made the grade in the professional game but who have been released from academies or youth teams.

Youngsters who believe they may be good enough to make the grade but have somehow slipped through the scouting nets attend.

Alan Burns has moved from reserve team coach to become the club’s head coach at first team level.

Burns, who is relishing his new role, is a UEFA B qualified coach.

Gary Sharman, meanwhile, is the new manager of Tunbridge Wells’ under 18 side, and this side has high hopes for the new campaign.

Sharman has successfully managed at local side Foresters for a number of years and guided their under 16’s to their league championship last term.

Former Wells’ first team manager Mike McKeown, meanwhile, makes a return to the management team in a new position as chief scout.

And not forgetting that all of these talented managers and coaches, together with first team boss Martin Farnie, Steve Gibbons (assistant) and coach Andrew Hall, will be working as a team under director of football, former England star Gary Stevens.

A club spokesman said: “It all argues very well for the club, with a much improved pitch, and ever improving stadium – hopefully the hard work of a few volunteers has been noticed - and the close links with Foresters Football Club, it feels as though a real corner has been turned.”

Having said that, the Culverden Stadium outfit are currently at the foot of the Kent League table, having lost their opening two games of the season.

A 2-0 defeat at much-fancied side Thamesmead Town last Saturday, where Joe Fuller was red carded for elbowing Lee Morgan during the first half, was followed by a 1-0 home defeat to Greenwich Borough last night.

Hussein Budak’s 32^nd minute header sent the Harrow Meadow outfit to the top of the table on four points from their opening two games – both away from home.

Beckenham Town, who lost their opening day clash 2-1 to Erith & Belvedere, visit Culverden Stadium on Saturday.

“We haven’t got off to the best of starts on the pitch, but the basis of a good side is definitely in place and I am sure that results will pick up and points will be accumulated,” the spokesman insists.

“We must be amongst the few clubs in the league who are not making wild claims about our chances of winning the league this season – there has been some evidence of post Maidstone mania around Kent!

“But we are making strides in the right direction so that when we are ready to go for promotion we will be able to ensure it lasts.”

Meanwhile, the club confirmed that their FA Cup preliminary round tie against Ryman League Division One South club Dartford will kick off at 3pm on Saturday 2^nd September.

Visit Tunbridge Wells' website:  www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk