Welwyn Garden City have wasted no time in landing a major coup by appointing Gavin Kelsey as their new manager, following Marc Weatherstone’s exit from Herns Way days before.
Kelsey has just completed a memorable season with Spartan South Midlanders Cockfosters, whom he has taken to two cup finals in the season just ended.
He steered the north Londoners to Wembley in the final of the FA Vase, only to lose on penalties to Hampshire side AFC Stoneham, after a goalless draw.
Cockfosters, under Kelsey, were only the fourth SSML side ever to reach a Vase final in over 50 years.
Cockfosters also made it to the Spartan South Midlands League play-off final, but went down 2-0 to Winslow United, on the Bucks side’s own ground.
It will be a second post at Herns Way for Kelsey, 50, who was an assistant coach with the Citizens way back in 2008, for around eight months at the start of his coaching career.
His managerial career since has seen him bring success to St Margaretsbury, where he was reserve, assistant and first-team manager, Hoddesdon, with whom he gained promotion and took on a memorable FA Cup run and Hertford Town, where he was in charge for a successful four seasons.
He then took a three year break from football, before returning to management at Cockfosters, whom he has had at the forefront of the chase for SSML honours throughout his four and a bit years in charge at Chalk Lane.
Said WGC chairman David Coates: “We are delighted to have appointed Gavin. He is excited by the club’s potential and we feel he can take us forward as a club.
“His sides always play attractive, attacking football and we are looking forward to an exciting and successful season under Gavin.’’
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