Billericay boss Harry Wheeler snaps up defensive duo

Billericay Town FC

Billericay manager Harry Wheeler has made it abundantly made it clear that he would not add to his squad unless he felt he was bolstering it with quality personel. And when Scott Doe and Ben Gerring joined the club recently Wheeler was happy to speak all about the additions, content they have the right skills and mindset to help Town’s quest. Both are defenders and both have success on their minds. Both are hungry to compete with their new outfit, which is bossed by Wheeler but backed both financially and as an assistant by the flamboyant owner Glenn Tamplin.

Wheeler and Tamplin made the move to recruit the defensive duo to the AGP Arena in the light of Joe Ellul opting not to do a deal to stay with the club and to seek pastures new.

Doe, who joins from Boredom Wood, says he has an eye on promotion this season following Town’s title-winning campaign last time of asking. He believes his previous relationship with the management duo will help him settle in and provide a platform from which to help fight for the National League South league crown, outlined in an interview with the Southend Echo.

He said:

“I have known Glenn and Harry for a while after they were both involved at Dagenham & Redbridge. There was a period of time where I may have been coming here last season but I am here now.

“Billericay won the league last year and they have a great chance to go up again and that is something I want to be a part of. With the squad here, we have a great chance of reaching the play-offs as a minimum and we want to aim higher. That’s the main goal.”

Gerring, meanwhile, a former Torquay United ace and who joins from Truro City, says the ambition at Town was one aspect to help him make up his mind to put pen to paper on a deal with the Essex club.

He said:

“These are my best years. Last year I reached the play-offs in the National League South and I want to push on. This club’s ambition is great. I want to win and be able to look back and think I was part of something special. They need height in both boxes and I am a threat in both and stick my head on things. Leadership and presence is important and I am looking forward to the new challenge.”

For Wheeler, signing the pair was an easy decision to make and he reiterated his assertion that he would only bring players to the club who he thought would add something beyond what is already in place in terms of qualities. He said:

“I said we are only adding to a brilliant squad. We don’t sign players for the sake of it. We conceded too many last year and we needed to address that.

“Scott played in the National League play-off final for Boreham Wood and was in talks with the opposition. He is very well respected and he is a fantastic signing. We looked at the stature and height of Ben and that is something we wanted. He has always been a man and he is a proper centre-half — he is assured, brave and chooses the right option.

“It strengthens us massively. There will be one more and then we will have a squad of 20 or 21 and that is perfect. It has taken a while to complete it but we have managed to get our guys and we will be stronger for it, stronger than last season.”