Larry Billings was introduced to the players at a meeting on Tuesday night, when he set out his plans for the club.

The 51-year-old has never managed at step five of the non-league pyramid before, but he has had considerable success with a team in Essex and with his civil service side in recent years.

He said: "Inevitably at 51, having followed football since I was seven, you must take in knowledge.

"I've always wanted to apply that knowledge at a level I thought was relevant and when I saw the management post I thought: 'I could do that.'

"I'm under no illusions. I know I need to do it with all the experience that is already here.

"I don't work by myself. I can only work with people."

Rovers' fourth boss in three months, and eighth in the last three years, player-managed Fulchester Rovers to Chelmsford Invitation League titles in 1993 and 1994, as well as the CIL League Cup in 1993.

Billings, a centre-half, was forced to retire from playing in 1994 after snapping his achilles tendon but continued to have success with Fulchester, guiding them to another CIL League Cup win a year later.

As a civil servant, he took over a team in his department and guided them to two national works titles in 2003 and 2007, as well as reaching the final in 2005.

He managed players of a similar standard during that time but conceded he would have to use the experience of others in his early days, particularly former reserve manager Peter Betts.

"I've got to rely on his experience and knowledge at the moment," said Billings. "He's really committed to this club and he has the contacts."

Chairman Steve Brown added: "He's going to be right for the club as a whole. He's keen to fund raise, so hopefully he is the whole thing that we want, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating of it.

"I think he's the man to take us forward at the pace that Haverhill Rovers will go at."

n Next season's squad has already started to take shape with defender Gareth Thomas, striker Shaun Banham and goalkeeper Ed Campbell committing themselves to the club.

Ben Cowling and Lee Sharp have also been named as next season's reserve team management.

Haverhill Rovers return to pre-season training on Thursday, June 26, at 7pm at Samuel Ward.