New Blues boss Spencer Knight starts shake-up despite dugout delay

New Wingate & Finchley boss Spencer Knight is already shaking up his relegation-threatened squad despite being due to delay his dugout debut for nearly two weeks.
The former Harlow Town assistant manager is away on business following his appointment as the successor to Steve Clark on Wednesday and won’t be in the Blues dugout until they travel to Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday 12 October.
In the meantime, former manager Dave Norman is expected to take charge on Saturday when the fourth from bottom Blues host Folkestone Invicta and again on Tuesday night when they travel to Cheshunt.
A club statement read: “Wingate & Finchley are pleased to announce that Spencer Knight will take over in charge of the First Team. He is currently away on business but shall be in charge for the visit to Brightlingsea Regent following his return.”
Knight started taking swift action to shake up his squad within hours with the exit of former Shrewsbury Town and Aldershot striker Marvin Morgan and return of midfielder Charlie Ruff following his departure from Kings Langley.
Central defender Sean Grace, pictured, has also been brought back for a second spell at the Maurice Rebak Stadium after skippering Potters Bar Town last season.
Ex-St Albans City, Chelmsford City, Canvey Island and Billericay Town midfielder Knight brings a wealth of playing and managerial experience at senior Non-League level, having been promoted as a player both to the Isthmian League Premier Division and Conference South.
After assisting Nicky Iron on the coaching staff at Ware, he switched to Harlow Town in 2014 as assistant manager before spending five years and 270 matches in the Hawks dugout.
In a statement posted on the club’s Twitter account @WinFinchleyFC, Knight said: “ I would like to thank the chairman and directors for the chance to work at a club I have admired for a long time.
“I would like to acknowledge the work that Steve Clark has done and note how grateful I am that he has already built a talented squad of players for me to work alongside.
“With a couple of additions and a bit of luck I’m certain that we can start climbing the division quickly.”
Only appointed in May, former Sporting Bengal United coach and Wingate player Clark stood down on Tuesday following the Isthmian League Premier Division club’s 4-2 FA Cup exit at Maldon & Tiptree in the second qualifying round.
A hat-trick from Jorome Slew and a solo effort from Charlee Hughes sealed last weekend’s cup exit at the Jammers despite goals from Wingate’s Ahmet Rifat and Marvin Morgan.
Image courtesy of @WinFinchleyFC/Twitter