Gander new manager at Wealden

The Uckfield side led the table until the closing weeks of last season when fixture congestion including two losing cup semi-finals took its toll.

Plumber Gander said: 'The club is well established and my brief is to work on that solid footing.

'I'm talking to the players already there and inevitably some other clubs will be interested in them, but no one has yet said they are definitely going.

'I'm also putting the feelers out for new players and the picture will be clearer when we start pre-season training on July 6. I'm also working on a series of friendlies.'

Wealden chairman Tom Parker said: 'Andy Gander is experienced and well organised and our club approach is that we always like doing things the right way.

'He was the one we wanted right from the outset and we approached him. He won promotion with both Lancing and Wick and we were most impressed with him when we played against Wick in the cup.

'He conducts himself the right way, no hysterics, only good constructive criticism when needed.

'He's a man the players respect and is also a nice guy. He lives in Seaford so has no real travelling issues. This job is time consuming and hard work, I know I've done it myself.

'He has a tough act to follow in Mark Simpson, who did well for us, but we are confident he is the right man for the job.'