GIILINGHAM'S youth team manager Paul Hilton has left the club to join West Ham’s football academy.

Hilton, who joined the club in August, took charge of his last under-18 match on Saturday morning before heading to Upton Park.

The under-18’s are currently top of the Youth Alliance South East Conference and have just one game left this season.

Hilton previously played for the Hammers in the top flight and, after injury ended his playing career, he joined the youth coaching staff before the arrival of Harry Redknapp ended his 11-year stint at the club.

Since taking over from Bobby Paterson, Hilton guided the under-18s to 13 wins from 21 league matches and the youngsters are now close to securing the South East conference title. They end their season on April 14 with an away match against Brighton.

Two other backroom staff members who left the club following Saturday’s 2-1 win against Brentford were kit-man Bob Lewin and media manager Glen Lauder, who have both gone on to different challenges.