Sheppey United’s interim boss Ross Wiles had only just taken a step back from football before a call led to him taking over the first team.

Wiles was instrumental in building up Sheppey’s youth section, and last season led the under-18s and 23s to league success but wanted to spend more time with his family, leading to a new role as head of youth development.

More: Midson’s parting words after Sheppey exit

But with Sheppey in the blood, he was only too happy to help out following the departure of first-team manager Jack Midson.

He said: “Since I stepped back I had been offered a few things, some really interesting projects, but I flatly said no. I didn't step out of football to go and do something elsewhere. If I wanted to do anything it would be Sheppey.

“When you get asked a question like that you have to consider it. I am under no illusion. If it is for two days or two weeks, nobody will put in more hours than me over there, I will do the best I can until told otherwise.

“It’s a fantastic group, 12 lads who were there last year, they showed towards the back end of last season how good they are. They are all professional, they know they are playing for a good club. It was a case of getting them together and cracking on.

“I know the ins and outs of the club from last year and it seemed an easy fit

“I am in it to make sure the team is run right, whenever the last game is, I am not bothered, I take it day by day. I will make it as professional as possible while I am there and I set high standards.”

Wiles took charge on Saturday as The Ites beat Canterbury City 4-0 and was there to see them play Lordswood last night (Tuesday).

Goals from Alex Willis, Lekan Majoyegbe and two for Connor Wilkins led to another 4-0 win in midweek. The team included a return for full-back Mamadou Diallo.

The interim boss, speaking prior to the Lordswood match, said: “The message to the boys (on Saturday) was, ‘let’s just focus on the football, people pay money to come and watch you play, you’re in a privileged position, let’s focus on what we do best.’

“With a skipper like Richie Hamill, someone you can rely on, he gets the boys in order, not that he needs to. It’s a good dressing room with sensible heads in there.

“One of the reasons I got involved was I knew the lads, I’m comfortable with them, I know what makes them tick. Until told otherwise we will keep our heads down and do what we do.”

Sheppey are set to welcome a Gillingham XI on Friday night.

“Levels will jump up on Friday,” said the interim boss. “I have been fair to people over the two games, for a club like Sheppey to have Gillingham at home on a Friday night is fantastic.

“We want the fans to get involved, and get behind the team like they always have done. Fans have a right to voice their opinions in the right way, they pay the money, I was one myself and I see it from all angles, it is about being together. Together we are better, from the bottom to the top.”

Saturday’s game against Canterbury featured 10 of the players Wiles had helped develop, including three who were in action for the opposition.

He said: “There is such a fantastic opportunity now for the local lads, which wasn’t there before, all the better boys were going off to the likes of Maidstone and Ebbsfleet, they were coming off the island.

“Myself and (youth chairman) Gary Seamark stopped that a bit and now if you are an aspiring footballer or trying to raise an aspiring footballer, it is a little closer to home. The standards have gone up and up.

“These are local boys, Sheppey blood running through them and they want to do well. It is a great environment where they have something to look forward to and be part of something.

“The whole reason we created a pathway is because if you are good enough you can get the opportunity at a decent level on your doorstep.”

Kenzi Monahan, who has come out of the Millwall academy, came on after 75 minutes against Canterbury before being rested on Tuesday. He got the call-up after scoring a hat-trick for the under-18s the night before.

Wiles said: “I know his ability, he is only 17 but I watched him Friday night and he was on fire so I thought I would throw in a little wildcard in there, I know he can handle the level, he was fantastic, and he made an impact on the game.

“No disrespect to Canterbury, but the levels will go up, I just want to give everyone a fair opportunity.

“I have always said if you are good enough you are old enough but I am under no illusion that the team does need experience in it and a bit of grit.”

Wiles may be managing on an interim basis but he’s got the backing to do the job as he sees fit.

He said: “I am one of those guys who if I do something, I am all the way in. I am taking everything on, with the board’s blessing.

“They know that my best interest has always been Sheppey and in terms of budgets I look at it like my own money and I want it to work for the club.

“The chairman (Matt Smith) has taken a lot of stick lately but people that know, know. The money he has invested, along with Ernie and Liz, the time he puts in. I have been going over there four or five days a week for the last eight years but that’s still not a smidgen in what they’ve invested.

“Nobody really likes change, do they? I’d like to thank Mids, he is an absolute top man, he gave me an opportunity to come in and help the first team and something I relished and I thank him for that.

“He is a real football man, a really nice guy and helpful. I have spoken to him and he has lent his hand to certain things, he has always been a good guy. Sometimes these things happen and I just want to keep the ball rolling with Sheppey.”