Gee takes over at Rainworth

EVO-STIK NPL Division One South Rainworth MW have moved quickly to secure the services of Kevin Gee as their new manager – a quarter of a century after he started his playing career with the then Notts Alliance club.

Former Glapwell assistant manager and operations director Gee’s appointment comes after the Wrens relieved joint managers Lee Wilkinson and Billy Millar of their positions on Thursday night by mutual consent.

Wilkinson will remain as Gee’s assistant, but Millar and coach Darren Kelk have left the club.

Wilkinson and Millar’s reign as managers came to an end after a disastrous run of results left the Wrens struggling around the relegation zone.

Chairman Derek Blow paid tribute to the efforts of the duo and Kelk, saying: “Billy and Lee turned the club around after the departure of Rudy Funk a year ago, and lifted us well clear of relegation danger in the second half of the season.

“It seemed that improvement would carry over into this season when we were the only club in the division to win both of our first two games.

“But since then we have managed just one win in 17, and sadly we could not let that go on.

Mr Blow added: “In Kevin I believe we have the man who can lead our club to fulfil its potential. He knows what this level of football is all about and, having been Glapwell’s operations director, is well clued up on the administrative side of things too, and I look forward to working with him.”

Gee said: “Since being out of the game it’s been nice to spend a bit of time with my family, but I’ve always been involved in football so when I was asked to get involved at Rainworth I jumped at the opportunity.

“I have asked Lee, and he has agreed, to remain with me and I will be looking to bring in a first team coach shortly. But there is no magic wand that will turn things around straight away – it’s all about hard work and application, and remaining together as a group both on and off the field.

“We are meeting the current squad on Monday to discuss a few things and outline what we hope to achieve, and we will set goals during different parts of the season.

“But our first aim is to ensure that we keep the team spirit going in the dressing room through this transitional period and start to try and climb the table, although our main objective for this season must be to retain our Evo-Stik League membership come April.”