Wealdstone have laid to rest speculation linking manager Bobby Wilkinson with moves away from the club after the Stones boss penned a new contract at Grosvenor Vale.

Wilkinson, who arrived to replace the long-serving Gordon Bartlett in August 2017 having worked wonders at Hungerford Town, had been granted permission to speak to two other clubs following an approach for his services.

However, confirmation of the new deal will be music to the ears of Stones fans, who have witnessed an encouraging start to the new National League South season, after learning that Wilkinson declined those offers to remain at Wealdstone.

And club vice-chairman Rory Fitzgerald expressed his delight at seeing Wilkinson show his commitment to the Stones for the foreseeable future.

He said: “Following an approach from clubs for the services of our manager Bobby Wilkinson we gave permission to Bobby to speak to them. They were good offers and understandably worthy of consideration but having considered them I am delighted to confirm that Bobby will be staying with Wealdstone.”

Fitzgerald added: “He has shown great loyalty and commitment to everyone at the club and has belief and full focus on what we are all striving to achieve here. Since Bobby arrived at the club much progress has been made on the pitch and we are now starting to see the fruits of the planning, hard work and preparation for this season during the summer – we all want to continue that journey to deliver the success this club and its supporters deserves.”

Wilkinson himself was keen to emphasise the collective project being undertaken at the Vale and the backing he received from the club’s board to continue their encouraging start to the new season which has seen the Stones rise to fifth after eight matches.

“I am proud and delighted to have signed a new contract with Wealdstone,” Wilkinson told the club website. “Together with my chairman Peter Marsden, the board, my management team and players we have a collective desire and commitment to achieve success with this club and that is what we are working so hard to achieve.”