Hatswell lands Daniels job

The Daniels have handed Wayne Hatswell the job of replacing Graham Drury as the club's new manager.

The 37-year-old takes his first step into management at the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South club after being unveiled at Kettering Road on Thursday.

Hatswell recently ended his 20-year playing career at Conference North Brackley Town and will be assisted by experienced Daniels player David Staff. Staff has been in temporary charge since Drury's departure to Boston before Christmas and Hatswell says he can't wait to team up with him and get started on building on the foundations laid by his predecessor.

Hatswell, pictured alongside Daniels Chairman Chris Rivett at the press conference said: "It's been a whirlwind 24 hours but I'm just really excited and I can't wait to get going. I only found out yesterday that I was offered the job and I'm now looking forward to meeting all the players and everyone else behind the scenes at the club."

Former defender Hatswell has vast experience in football, particularly at Non-League level, having started his career in the early 90s with Swindon Supermarine before going on to make his name at Forest Green Rovers in the Conference. He went on to play for Oxford United in the Football League before enjoying successful spells with Chester City, Kidderminster Harriers, Rushden and Diamonds and Cambridge United.

After leaving Cambridge in 2010, Hatswell moved to League of Ireland oufit Dundalk where he also got his first taste for management after working as the club's assistant manager while continuing to play. He held the same role last season alongside Justin Edinburgh at Newport County, helping the Exiles reach the FA Trophy final where they lost 2-0 to York City at Wembley.

After his experiences at Dundalk and Newport, Hatswell believes the time was right for him to get stuck into management as his own boss and he's looking forward to kicking off his career on Saturday when the Daniels head to promotion rivals Gresley FC.

Stamford's new manager added: "Chris Rivett [chairman] and the rest of the board have been professional with me from minute one and I'm really looking forward to working with them at the club. Attention turns to Saturday now, it's going to be a tough trip going to Gresley but I can't wait."

Stamford Chairman Chris Rivett revealed that Hatswell beat a host of top quality candidates to the post and says he's delighted with the club's choice.

"I said the day that Graham Drury left this was an exciting opportunity and I am very grateful to everyone who took the time to contact us regarding the vacancy," said Rivett. "The calibre of candidate we had to choose from, for a club of Stamford's standing, was very impressive.

"The strength of our shortlist was a big indication of the way the club is regarded at the moment and that is very pleasing. That quality meant this was a big decision for the board and one that has been presided over diligently and professionally to arrive at what we believe is a strong management team.

"I am delighted to welcome Wayne Hatswell to the club and look forward to working with him closely. I am also pleased that David Staff, who did a thorough job as caretaker boss, has embraced the opportunity to progress his career and involvement with Stamford in a senior role.

"This is an exciting partnership that has been challenged to oversee a successful future for the club and I hope everyone will get behind them and support them in that objective."