Ex-Chelsea defender Steve Watt joins Leatherhead as assistant manager

STEVE WATT, who has recently played for Maidstone United and Hemel Hempstead Town in the National League South, has joined Leatherhead as player-assistant manager.

Experienced central defender Watt, who started his career at Chelsea, captained Maidstone to the Ryman Premier title last season but left the club last month.

He quickly signed with their league rivals Hemel Hempstead Town but following the Tudors’ 7-4 defeat at Eastbourne in the FA Trophy on Satrurday, he has moved to Ryman Premier Leatherhead to continue his development as a coach.

Watt said: “I’m delighted to join the club and am looking forward to my first role as part of a management team.

“It will be great to assist Mike (Sandmann, manager), I have known him for many years and I see us as a good fit to push Leatherhead on to the next level together.

“It’s brilliant to be able to have influence on and off the pitch as a player-assistant and I thank the club and Mike for giving me this exciting opportunity.”

Boss Sandmann added: “Steve has a huge amount of experience and I believe he would be a perfect addition to Leatherhead Football Club.

“I know Steve well from his time at Dover and always knew he would be someone I would like to work with me both on and off the pitch.

“He is hugely respected in the game as a player and a coach and I believe the players will enjoy having Steve in the dressing room.”