Wealdstone confirmed the appointment of Welshman Neil Gibson as their new first-team manager on a two-and-a-half-year contract this week.

And his first game in charge comes against Solihull Moors - led by former Stones boss Matt Taylor - on Saturday.

Gibson boasts the UEFA Pro Licence and a wealth of experience as a manager, having won two Welsh Cups, secured four promotions, and qualified for the UEFA Europa League and UEFA Conference League on four separate occasions.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be joining Wealdstone and excited about the challenge ahead,” he told the club website.

“I’ve had a fantastic open dialogue with Rory [Fitzgerald, club chairman] and feel the club and I are a perfect fit. I can't wait to get started and meet everyone - players, staff, and fans.”

Club chairman Rory Fitzgerald also spoke to the club website upon hiring Gibson after seeing former head coach Taylor leave late last week to take charge of Moors.

He said: "Neil is someone we have monitored for some time and brings a wealth of experience, a track record of success, and a clear vision for the future.

"We were seeking a high-quality coach and manager who shares our values and understands the importance of the culture we have created across the squad and football club.

"We are confident he is the right person to lead the Stones to new heights and continue building on our proud history.”

Gibson will be on the touchline for this weekend’s visit of Taylor’s Solihull Moors, with former Wales international and Liverpool forward Lee Jones coming in as his assistant.

Interim boss Paul Hughes and first-team coach Peter Stanford have both left the club following the appointment of Gibson and his backroom staff, as the Stones continue their battle of avoiding relegation from the National League for a second successive season.

The task for the new boss is nothing short of challenging.

Already on a poor run of form, the Stones have failed to win any of their last four league matches and suffered defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion U21s in the National League Cup during that period.

“It was a scrappy and very competitive first half, as expected given how precious the points are for both teams,” said Hughes after a 2-0 defeat at AFC Fylde at the weekend.

“We were very front-footed from the start and we created a one-on-one opportunity and a few half chances while effectively limiting their attacking threat.”

After Ashley Boatswain had given the hosts the lead midway through the second half, Nick Haughton doubled the advantage ten minutes from time to punish an already depleted Stones.

“Their goal came against the run of play - a sucker punch that shifted the momentum and momentarily took the wind out of our sails. We didn’t fully get back into our stride after that,” Hughes added.

“Overall, I felt we had more pressure, more opportunities, and slightly better moments in the game, but they took the chances they had and eventually shut the game out.”