By Adam Ellis
Kidderminster Harriers have appointed Oxford United Under-23 co-manager Andy Whing as their own youth team’s manager.
Only 32, the former right-back who racked over 400 senior appearances during his playing career has partnered Leon Blackmore-Such in coaching Oxford’s youngster for the past two years.
The emphasis placed on academy development by Harriers sees Whing swap League One for the National League North, with club chairman Colin Gordon happy to lure the coach he knows well.
“I’ve known Andy for a number of years and this is a bit of a coup for us, make no mistake,” Gordon told the club’s official website.
“He’s been coaching at a great club and a great level and he’s eager to take on the challenge here and really make the U23s project his own.
“It’s vital that all of our teams interconnect and work well together – we’ve seen that already with the likes of our Under-18s and Under-19s, but we really need the Under-23s to lead the way in that respect.”
Whing’s departure from Oxfordshire ends a six-year association with the 2010 National League play-off winners, and he leaves with the best wishes from the staff at the Kassam Stadium.
Fellow co-manager Blackmore-Such commented: “Fans maybe only saw the fierce Whingy on the pitch; I know they loved that side of him. But off the field he is very different; very approachable, very focussed and someone I have learned so much from over the last two years or so.”
United’s chairman Darryl Eales described Whing as, “a fantastic guy to have around; very knowledgeable, very hard working and immensely likeable.”
He added: “It is sad to see him go but he feels it is the right move for him and we wish him the best of luck in his new role. He leaves the youth team in great shape.”
Whing will work closely with first-team management and the Youth coaching set-up, and commenced his Harriers duties on Monday.
