Wellington AFC have today (Thursday) announced the appointment of Richard Cherry as first team manager.  

The former Gillingham and Colchester player joined the club's coaching team during last season, from working at Exeter City, and has been assisting joint managers Tim Legg and Alex Pope.  

However, after the pair stepped down at the end of the season, Richard will now take sole charge of the side in the Toolstation League premier division.  

Chairman Mike Hall said: “We’re all delighted that Richard has accepted the role.  

“When Tim and then Alex decided not to carry on, it was important their successor could maintain continuity while building on their excellent work over the past three-and-a-half seasons.  

“We think Richard fits that bill perfectly – he knows the squad inside out, is popular with the players and has an impressive CV, both as a player and a coach.”  

Mike added: “We believe he will be a perfect fit for our ethos of providing top-level coaching to develop players who play attractive football.”  

Richard, who lives in Torquay and runs a successful hairdressing and hair academy business, said: “I am looking forward to continuing the journey, working with a great bunch of players and excellent support from behind the scenes at the club. 

“It is important that the strides forward the club have already made continue, alongside developing our younger players from our youth teams upwards. 

“Our brand of football saw us commended by opponents, but we didn’t get the points often deserved. We want the points now too!” 

Richard Cherry has confirmed that experienced defender Jack Bown-Porter will be his number two. 

Since being appointed last week, he has been busy assembling his management team for the coming season in the Toolstation League premier division. 

He said: “After having had a strong working relationship with Jack, I wanted him to join the management setup in player-coach/assistant role and am happy to announce that he is on board. 

“Jack and I have now had several meetings on recruitment, playing strategies, training procedures and management protocol - we are focused, and work is under way for the new season.” 

Jack, who has played more than 300 first team games, said: “Richard is an impressive coach, whose CV speaks for himself, and we’ve instantly struck up a good connection.  

“The opportunity to come aboard the managing staff at this stage of my career, at a club I love, was something I just couldn’t turn down.”