Prestwich Heys have today appointed Lee O’Brien and James Hampson as their new Management Team.

They will be joined by Paul Ubarno as Goalkeeping Coach and Wesley Roberts as Coach.

It marks a return to Adie Moran Park for both Lee and James. Lee came to prominence as he emerged from Rob Evans’ successful youth sides of the late nineties and early noughties which produced a whole host of players for the club.

However, Lee (pictured right) embarked on a successful career away from Heys, playing for AVRO, New Mills, Droylsden and Stockport Town. He returned to the club for his final season as a player in the 2016-17 season as Heys narrowly missed out on the promotion play offs in our first season back in the NW Counties League.

James (pictured left) was also a member of that squad, his career having followed a similar path with spells at AVRO, New Mills, Stockport, Droylsden and in Welsh Football.

Both then turned to Management, returning to AVRO, where they won the Manchester League Premier Division title and promotion to the NW Counties League in their first season.

As AVRO moved to their new home at the Vestacre Stadium, their first season in the Counties brought more success as they won promotion as runners up to Longridge Town.

After two Covid curtailed seasons, AVRO were fifth in the Premier Division when they stepped down from their roles in January of this year.

On his return to Heys Lee said “Once the opportunity came up to manage Heys, it was a no brainer for me. I know what this club is about, it’s run and supported by good people, always has been, and after a break that I enjoyed a little too much, the hunger is there to get back in the dugout. I have to give credit to Matt and his staff, who have left a good nucleus of players to work with and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in “.

James echoed those words and added “It’s been a crazy 24 hours and I am grateful for the opportunity. We have had offers to go elsewhere but once the chance came up to manage Heys we just had to take it and I can’t wait to get started”

The duo will take charge of their first game in the Bolton Hospital Cup tie at Tempest United, next Thursday night, 14th April.

Picture courtesy of AVRO FC