Gary Ansell has made his first changes with regards to restructuring Rovers development sides, which has seen Under 21 manager Steve Southgate released and Tom Harding moved to a Technical Lead role.

Ansell stated [i]"I would like to thank Steve Southgate for his assistance and professionalism whilst managing the reserves last season and the U21’s this season, stepping in to run both sides when Great Wakering Rovers reserves/U21’s were going through managerial changes."

"Going forward Tom Harding has been given the opportunity to manage both the U18’s and the U21’s. Tom has a very good reputation within youth football and has a great knowledge of players around these age groups. Tom will be assisted Matt Cardy in the U18’s and Craig Shipman in the U21’s."

"Tom will also be tasked with looking at the Great Wakering Rovers youth set up as a whole; getting to know the managers, coaches and players etc.. with a view to organising/stream lining the production conveyor belt from age group to age group, therefore giving Great Wakering Rovers the best possible chance of progressing the talent through to the first team."