HEYBRIDGE Swifts have designated Saturday as 'Meet and Greet the New Gaffa Day', writes JON LONGMAN.

It will be a reunion for so many Swifts fans and Hammers followers as West Ham legend Julian Dicks is returning to the Scraley Road ground for his second spell in charge.

'The Terminator' will be back after the ecstasy of teaming up with West Brom manager Slaven Bilic to take the club to the Premiership as champions followed by the agony of being sacked as The Hawthorns board panicked earlier this

season.

The Swifts board acted quickly to bring Dicks back to the Aspen Waite Arena as he admitted that he had "unfinished business at the Swifts" after the club were denied promotion to the Isthmian Premier three seasons ago.

The Swifts won the play-off final only to be denied promotion by the FA's pyramid changes.

Dicks is still fuming about the FA's "ridiculous decision" as they denied him the chance of adding promotion to his CV and the chance to make an impact as the Swifts returned to the Premier Division after a lengthy absence.

Saturday will also mark the return of his successor and Colchester United stalwart Karl Duguid as his number two, so it will be like old times with the pair back at the helm.

Duguid returns after "taking a break from football" and both will be on duty from 2pm to 6pm and there will be plenty of photo opportunities with them.

There will be a raffle and the prizes include a pair of Dicks' boots. Fans can bring along any memorabilia that they would like to be autographed.

"We do hope to see as many people as we can and hope all can have an enjoyable afternoon," said Swifts vice-chairman Steve Spreadbury.

"We look forward to welcoming back the team of Julian and Karl to take us forward into what we hope will be another good season.

"Both will be happy to autograph any memorabilia that people have of Julian or Karl and would like signed. They will be available to chat and answer any questions."

Please note that social distancing measures and Covid-safety will be in place at this event.