Thanks Dev! It’s Ryan’s role at Magpies

By Neil Harvey

STEP UP: Ryan Peters

Ryan Peters was handed the Maidenhead United manager’s job permanently – and then hailed the influence of legendary predecessor Alan Devonshire.

Ex-Brentford right-back Peters, 38, spent the majority of his career playing under the former West Ham midfielder, first at Braintree and then at Maidenhead.

He subsequently joined the coaching staff at York Road upon his retirement in 2019 and took interim charge when Devonshire’s ten-year reign at York Road came to an end in November.

Now, after steering the Magpies from 13th in the table into the National League South play-offs, Peters has been handed the job full-time – and the protege was quick to credit the advice and tutelage of his wily mentor.

“Dev was one of the first managers who really took a shine to me,” Peters said. “He instilled me with the belief that I could do whatever I wanted to do – regardless of whether I actually could!

“He has always been by my side and when we came into the coaching realm, he was constantly giving me the nuggets of information that have allowed me to step into this role now.

“Without him, I wouldn’t be here now and – while there are little nuances and differences – the basis of how I work all comes from him.”

On taking the job permanently, Peters added: “I’m delighted. The interim title has been there for a while and it’s gone now.

“It means a lot to me. I’ve probably spent just as much time here as I’ve spent at home here, so I’ve got to know quite a lot of the people here. It’s a fantastic club, a family club. I’m delighted to be the manager of this fantastic club and I’m now pushing hopefully to give us some success.

“I’m looking to push on as the manager. I’m hoping for a similar season, if not better.”