Wealdstone appoint Hungerford’s Bobby Wilkinson as manager

(Photo: Paul Paxford)
By Alex Beard
Bobby Wilkinson is the new manager of Wealdstone – and promised to give his heart and soul to the club.
Wilkinson, who strongly refused suggestions he walked out on Hungerford Town at half-time of their match at Welling United on Saturday, replaces Stones legend Gordon Bartlett.
The iconic boss was England's longest serving manager after nearly 23 years at the club.
Wilkinson's move brings an end to a hugely successful eight-year spell with the Crusaders, who he guided to two promotions and a sixth-place finish last year in the team's first season in the National League South.
His success with Hungerford made his eventual exit inevitable, and Wealdstone chairman Peter Marsden is delighted that his club is the beneficiary.
“What Bobby has done to put Hungerford, a town of 6,000, on the footballing map is nothing short of sensational,” he told Wealdstone's official website.
“Bobby has in the past been courted by a number of other clubs in our league and I am delighted he has pinpointed Wealdstone as a club that has the ambitions to match his own.”
Wilkinson expressed his excitement at his new position: “I have had a fantastic time at Hungerford but we are coming to Wealdstone to give it our all and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead.
“It is a great honour to sign a contract at this club – this is a very happy day for me. I promise the fans now that I will give this everything I have got.