Chatham boss Kevin Horlock hopes new signing Luke Medley can make an impact on and off the pitch.

The former Bradford and Barnet front-man has joined as first team striker and under-21 manager.

Horlock is looking for closer unity between the 1st XI and the second string and Medley, who has worked as a coach at Chelsea’s academy, is just the man to help.

The 26-year-old made his first start for Chatham last Saturday in the 2-0 win at Whitstable. He replaces recently-departed Karl May as under-21 manager.

Horlock said: “As soon as Luke became available, he was top of my list.

“He has been at Chatham briefly before and I know him fairly well. We put a seven-day approach in for him and he ticks a lot of boxes.

“He makes the squad stronger, he’s a good player and he’s also a good coach.

“The two teams will work together because that will make the club better. He is here first and foremost as a first team player but he’s the under-21 manager and we’ll work closely together.

“I want the teams to train together which is important for the younger lads.”

Medley made his Football League debut in 2007, scoring for Bradford with his first touch after coming on as a substitute, a goal which turned out to be the winner.

He went on to play for Barnet, Mansfield and Kidderminster, before having spells at several non-league clubs and joins Chatham from Walton Casuals.

Chatham began 2016 with a win at Whitstable in Ryman League Division 1 South last weekend and Horlock will be hoping to build on that, starting at home to Three Bridges on Saturday.