GIBSON PRIMED TO LEAD STONES

NEIL GIBSON has watched hundreds of hours of English football in preparation for transferring his vast experience gained in Wales - and he believes Wealdstone is the perfect fit.

- Matt Badcock

The 45-year-old has been handed the Stones' job following the departure of Matt Taylor to Solihull Moors.

Gibson boasts an extensive CV having first gone into management at Prestatyn Town as player-manager when he was just 26.

He took his hometown club from the third tier to the top table of Welsh football and even into Europe, and has twice won the Welsh Cup, including with Connah's Quay Nomads, who won their first ever UEFA Conference League tie under his stewardship.

Gibson joins along with assistant Lee Jones and the pair are confident they can have an impact even though the Stones are struggling in the National League.

"The last thing it did when we were watching the group is make us daunted by the task," Gibson tells The NLP.

"We're fortunate this is the first opportunity in the English system but we've done 18 years and over 700 games of coaching in the Welsh League. We feel we're very well versed on our journey, what we want, how we manage football teams and make them successful.