Simon Ratcliffe has paid the price for Gillingham Ladies’ relegation last season.

He has been replaced by Gills coach Darren Hare and Jack Wheeler for the new campaign.

The Gills ladies finished second from bottom in the FA Women’s Premier League Southern Division last season, just a year after narrowly missing out on promotion.

Hare will combine his role as academy manager with management of the ladies team alongside Wheeler.

Hare said: “We would like to start by thanking Simon for his hard work with the women’s team.

“Simon took over at a very difficult point for the club and whilst last season was spent re-grouping and transitioning into the club’s framework as a whole.

“We’re now at a more advanced stage with great foundations ready to re-build the winning mentality that is an integral part of the culture at Gillingham Ladies.”

Wheeler returns to the Gills Ladies, after being part of the management team that led them to second place in the table the year before.

“I’m delighted to be invited back into the set-up," Wheeler said.

“Our 2013/14 season was a historic and record-breaking one and whilst the club has undergone some setbacks over the last year or so, plenty of progress has taken place.

“Darren and I are excited by the challenge and believe together we can build a team that is organised and equipped to ensure this football club is in the position it deserves to be.”