Baldwin relishing first role in senior management

Lee Baldwin (right) relishing his role after taking over from Jon Tucker (left) as Wick Football Club manager. Picture: Phil Westlake

The 28-year-old, who guided Pagham’s reserve team to the SCFL West Division title last season, has taken up his first role in senior management.

Baldwin was brought to Wick by now departed manager Jon Tucker as part of his backroom team but has now made the step up.

Having seen several players make the move over with him from Pagham’s reserves over the summer and worked with the squad this season, Baldwin hopes it will be an easy transition.

He said: “I came over in the summer to help Jon out but after he left it was a job I wanted. Jon told me to stay on at the club and I felt it would have been silly of me to turn this opportunity down.

“This is a great club, with some quality players and great foundations set. It’s about us making use of our potential and pushing up the league now.”

Following Tucker’s departure last month, Baldwin, along with fellow coach Wesley Hallett, oversaw both Wick’s FA Vase second-round qualifying clash at Little Common and Saturday’s home Southern Combination League Premier Division defeat by Eastbourne Town.

Christopher Cummings-Bart bagged a brace, while Sean Ray and Tyler Capon both netted to condemn Wick to a 4-0 defeat on Saturday.

Ray broke the deadlock on seven minutes, before Cummings-Bart got his first ten minutes after the break.

Cummings-Bart then got his second and Town’s third eight minutes later.

Wick substitute Shane Brazil was hauled down in the penalty area five minutes from time but Andy Chick blazed the penalty over.

Town then added a fourth less than a minute later as Capon struck.

Baldwin’s first game as manager comes tomorrow as Wick welcome winless Peacehaven & Telscombe in the league (7.45pm).

WICK: Jordan Matthews; Eyres, Playle-Howard, Bradshaw, Bingham; Forry, Ediker, Williamson, Chick; Hardwell, Wimble. Subs: Dunlop (Bradshaw), Brazil (Hardwell), Hallett.