Lewis named as new first team coach

By David Watters

Canvey Island

Former Fulham, Gillingham and Leicester City midfielder Junior Lewis has been unveiled as Canvey Island's new first team coach for the upcoming Ryman Premier campaign.

Lewis, assistant manager at Championship club Leeds United at the start of last season, arrived at the Prospects Stadium ahead of the weekend to work alongside Gulls manager Danny Heale.

The 41-year-old, pictured, came through the ranks at Fulham before playing at the highest level with Leicester City under Peter Taylor. He also had spells with the likes of Gillingham, Hull City and Brentford.

Lewis moved into coaching in 2008 as Wycombe Wanderers reserve team boss alongside his former manager Taylor, going on to have coaching stints with Bradford City, again with Taylor, Hendon and last season at Leeds.

Heale told the club's website: "Bringing Junior Lewis to the club is a massive coup. Peter Taylor has worked with him at several clubs and spoke very highly about him, and since coming in he's shown exactly why this is.

"He was assistant-manager at Leeds United last season and having brought in a lot of experienced players, it makes sense to bring in an experienced coach like Junior to work alongside us.

"He's a bit of a disciplinarian which shows how seriously he is taking his role with the club, and already he has gained the respect of the players and fellow coaches."

Image courtesy of www.canveyislandfc.com

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