Wivenhoe lost seven straight matches after sacking ex-Rovers manager Richard Carter earlier this season, conceding 30 goals in the process.

A mass exodus of players and mounting debts meant Wivenhoe, relegated from the Ryman League last year, looked as if they would be stuck on the 31 points earned this season but Dicks’ arrival is bound to give them a boost.

Rovers boss Peter Betts said: “Wivenhoe have had a little lift with Julian Dicks taking them over.

“With him coming in, they will attract players and will be competitive again but with the team we’ve got we can beat all the teams around us and in mid-table.”

Haverhill Rovers have yet to play Wivenhoe this season so face up to two tricky meetings with one of the Premier League’s most notorious hard men, the first on January 24 at Wivenhoe’s Broad Lane Ground.

Betts, meanwhile, is hoping for a bumper crowd to cheer his side on against sixth-placed Kirkley & Pakefield at Hamlet Croft on Saturday.

The match kicks off at 3pm and Rovers will be looking to add to the seven goals they have scored in their last two appearances at the Croft.

Betts said: “It would be nice to have a good crowd for the next couple of matches (Rovers host Felixstowe on January 17 as well).

“It’s easier to go that extra yard if you are playing in front of 150 or 200 people as opposed to 30 or 40.”

Rovers are also offering supporters another chance to see a Ridgeons League Premier Division match for free.

The Reds will open Hamlet Croft’s gates to everyone for no charge on Friday, February 13, for their important relegation six-pointer with Ely City.

Rovers ran a successful fans’ day in November, which saw more than 300 supporters turn up to cheer on the team to a 3-1 victory over Woodbridge Town.

Friday night football has always been popular in the town and officials at Haverhill are hoping for the largest crowd of the season to attend.

The game with Ely will kick off at 7.45pm on that Friday night and a race night will follow the match in the clubhouse.