MAY THE FORCE BE WITH STU!

Maynard relishing Notts opportunity

- Chris Dunlavy

STUART Maynard says quitting the day job to become a full-time manager at Notts County is the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition.

The Wealdstone boss was appointed by the League Two Magpies on Thursday to replace Luke Williams, who joined Swansea City a fortnight ago.

“It’s been one of my ambitions to get into full-time football for a long, long time now,” said the 43-year-old, who has given up his job as a BT engineer to take charge at Meadow Lane. “All I’ve ever wanted was to give football all my focus and dedication. For it to finally happen, I’m just delighted.”

Maynard has spent almost two decades with the telecoms giant and was hard at work when the call came to say he’d landed his dream job.

“I was in the van as usual, working away,” he laughs, “Next thing you know, I was sat there as the manager of Notts County.

“My manager at BT has been brilliant with it and handled everything really well. He understood what it meant to me and recognised that this was an unbelievable opportunity. I think they’re as excited for me as I am to get started.