Forgotten Arsenal FA Cup winner takes shock non-league manager’s job in eighth tier… and is still playing aged 49
EX-ARSENAL star Ian Selley has been named the new manager of non-league outfit Leatherhead.
The former Gunners midfielder, 49, left his job with Westfield to take over at the Isthmian League South Central Division club.
Selley won the European Cup Winners Cup, FA Cup and League Cup with Arsenal under George Graham at Highbury.
He scored twice – both in Europe against Standard Liege and Brondby – in his 60 appearances for the North Londoners.
But Selley suffered a shattered leg following an accidental collision with Leicester’s Iwan Roberts in February 1995 at the age of 20.
As a result of the serious injury, he played just once under Arsene Wenger before he joined Fulham for £500,000 in 1997.
Selley said: “I am very excited to get started as I see Leatherhead as one of the biggest clubs in this league. I have always admired this great club from afar.
“The target is promotion, we build on last season and push the club forward with some entertaining and attractive football.”
England Under-21 international Selley worked for seven years as head coach of Arsenal’s academy in Dubai before starting his non-league managerial career at Sandhurst Town in 2020 before moving to hometown club Chertsey Town.
Leatherhead vice chairman John Dean said: “We are delighted to appoint Ian as our new manager.
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“We had a vigorous selection and interview process and the quantity and quality of the people who applied spoke volumes for the improvements in the club over the last 18 months.
“During that process Ian stood out as someone who’s drive and ambition to take this club forward and his vision of where he feels he can take a club of our size was most impressive.
I am sure all the Leatherhead family will join me in welcoming Ian and his coaching team to Fetcham Grove.”
Despite Selley’s horror injury in the 1995, he is still playing alongside his managerial career.
Last season he registered himself as a player at the age of 49 while managing Isthmian League Division One South side Westfield.
He made two appearances for the club, in the Velocity Cup against Ashworth United and against Midhurst and Easebourne in the Aldershot Senior Cup.