Former Northampton Town and Wycombe Wanderers coach Jack Wells appointed as new manager of Aylesbury United

Wells joins from North Leigh where he has been working as a first team coach, and has also previously held coaching roles at Wantage Town, Stratford Town and Redditch United.

He has a record of working with and developing young players, having also worked as a coach in the academy at Northampton Town, as head of female football and ladies team manager at Oxford City, and with Wycombe Wanderers.

The 31-year-old is currently working toward his UEFA B licence, and also holds a diploma in sports management. He will bring in his own support staff shortly.

Graham Read, Aylesbury United chairman, said: “I was pleasantly surprised to have received more than 35 applications for the vacant manager’s job, and over the past two weeks was able to whittle those down to 7-8 applicants the board agreed we should interview. Following the interviews, the board provided input on a shortlist of three candidates for the role.

“After much deliberation, I have appointed Jack Wells as our new first team coach. He will be taking over with immediate effect. Jack and his team will not be making wholesale changes to our current squad, but has been asked to bring in some ‘older heads’ to stabilise and guide the younger players. You will hear from Jack shortly with his own vision for the team shortly.

“Paul Batchelor was offered the opportunity to continue as assistant manager, but has declined. He will remain very much part of the club, with his role with the Academy side, and Mini Ducks as part of the Junior section. I would personally like to thank Batch for supporting us through this period, and am really pleased he will still be involved in the club.

“I would also like to thank all the applicants, many of whose CV’s were first class, and it was a very difficult decision to reject so many.

“Moving forward, we wish Jack the best of luck in his new role, and I’m sure his passion and commitment to the club will not go unnoticed.”