Sheppey start their summer friendlies on Saturday against their own under-23 team who are under new management.

Azza Gray is the newly- installed manager of the under-23s - a side who finished top of the Southern Counties East Development League table last season under Ross Wiles.

With Wiles moving on to another challenge at the club, Gray was the man picked to take up the baton.

His team take on Jack Midson’s Isthmian League side on Saturday at Holm Park (3pm).

Gray had already been with the club for several years working within the youth set-up, including the under-23s, and was delighted to have been chosen.

“This is a club I absolutely love,” he said, speaking to the club: “I understand interest (in the job) was high and I’m incredibly humbled to be selected.

“Ross Wiles did a superb job in the last 18 months or so. I’ll look to continue his hard work and develop these promising and talented players into the first- team picture.

“We have an amazing cohort of players who I look forward to working with.

“Jack (Midson) has been incredibly supportive since getting the role and again I look forward to being in regular dialogue with him, Jono (Richardson, the assistant) and his first-team set-up.”

Gray will work alongside Greg McHardy and Adam Wicketts who continue in their coaching roles within the development side.

Wiles had been overseeing the under-18s and under-23s, who both won their respective leagues, and is now the club’s head of youth development, which means he can spend more time with his family.

*Sheppey are hosting a Sellebrity Soccer match on Sunday (2pm) at Holm Park in aid of the Oliver Fisher Special Care Baby Trust. Singer and songwriter James Arthur is among the celebrity players due to play. Tickets must be purchased in advance from trybooking.co.uk/CKYY