WINGATE & Finchley have turned to playing partners Marc Weatherstone and Ahmet Rifat to lead the club into a bright new future.
The pair spent over a decade playing together for the Isthmian Premier Division Blues and will now work closely together again from the dugout with Weatherstone taking over as manager and Rifat – the club’s record appearance holder – handed a director of football role.
They replace Spencer Knight who was ousted as manager last week with chairman Aron Sharpe looking to “develop a pathway for youngsters and providing opportunities for players to develop as coaches”.
Announcing the changes, Sharpe said: “I hope that this brings each and every person at the club great pleasure and is fully supported within the club. I have felt that in the last few years we have drifted as a club and more importantly diluted our identity.
“We have recently invested heavily in a training facility and refurbishing our historic stadium, although establishing a good infrastructure and facilities hasn’t necessarily reflected on the pitch at first-team level.
“In order to achieve what the club desires, cohesion from top to bottom is the primary importance and by appointing two players – who have nearly 1,000 first team appearances between them –we hope to go some way towards finding that success once again.
“I have no doubt the addition of both Ahmet and Marc to our first-team set-up will bring only positives.”
Rifat added: “Anyone that knows me knows how much I love being around the club. We endeavour to work hard to ensure we bring success and consistency.”
Lee Protheroe will stay on as first-team coach, as will long-serving goalkeeper coach Gavin King.
