Hayes returns to Ryman as Abbotts boss

Former Arsenal, Celtic and Swansea star Martin Hayes will be leading Waltham Abbey into the next Ryman North campaign after being named as the club's new manager.

The 49-year-old, who managed Bishop Stortford for almost a decade before taking the helm at Wingate & Finchley and Dover Athletic, was unveiled on Bank Holiday Monday as the successor to Paul Wickenden who left Capershotts last week after five years at the helm of the Essex club.

Hayes, pictured, is set to be introduced to the club's players and the media later this week after Waltham Abbey chairman John Martin moved swiftly to appoint a new manager.

The Abbotts had set a deadline of last Saturday for potential candidates to apply for the post and a club spokesman said: "Waltham Abbey FC are pleased to announce that ex-Arsenal and Celtic forward Martin Hayes has agreed to join the Abbotts as manager for season 2015-16.

"The club are delighted to announce this exciting appointment and will post more information soon. Martin is due to meet the players on Thursday this week along with interested press and media."

As an attacking midfielder and winger Hayes made more than 100 appearances for the Gunners between 1983 and 1990. After a spell in Ireland with Cliftonville, he entered Non-League in 1995 with Dover Athletic before moving on to Crawley Town, Romford, Purfleet and Bishop's Stortford where he became player-manager in 1999 and remained at the helm until November 2008.

Hayes took charge at then Ryman North side Wingate & Finchley in February 2009 before taking over at Dover Athletic just over a year later. During his time at the Crabble, he led the Whites on their greatest-ever FA Cup run, reaching the third round before going out at Huddersfield in January 2011.

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