CLYMPING Football Club finally have a new manager in place to take them into the season for their return to County League Division 3.

Sam Beattie has taken over as caretaker manager, while Mike Gillam, who finished last season as the club’s manager, is currently tied up with work commitments.

Beattie, originally from London, moved to the local area six years ago and was at Sidlesham two years ago before coaching at Hunston last season, where the first team won promotion into the West Sussex League Premier Division and the reserves won promotion from Division 2 South.

The new boss initially applied for a reserve team manager/coaching position, but has agreed to take charge temporarily, with the possibility of taking over full-time, possibly with Gillam when he is available.

After the turmoil of last season, during which the side had five different managers, and were relegated after finishing their campaign with just 13 points, Beattie is looking forward to getting the club back on track and admitted it was what attracted him to the club.

He said: “It was the rebuilding that tempted me in the first place and trying to get it back to a community club.

“I sent my CV to Mike stating I didn’t want the first-team manager position, but subsequently as they haven’t got one, I said I’d be a caretaker for an interim period.

“I am from London, and moved here around six years ago. The county scene involves knowing a lot of the players and the problem is I don’t know too many.

“I was looking to come onboard as a reserve team manager and coach, as we have a youth team now and I wanted to work and develop the kids.”

Clymping have the whole reserve side still at the club, while Beattie has already signed a number of local players, and is currently recruiting more and working on sorting out pre-season friendlies.

He said: “I certainly am working on getting new players and am up all night at the moment. Things are ongoing.”

On whether he is looking forward to the challenge, Beattie said: “I am, yes. It’ll be a challenge but I’m ready for whatever it throws at me, if nothing else it’ll be a learning curve.

“Mike is still in the background and sourcing players, and, hopefully, he’ll still be head coach when his work contract finishes in nine weeks’ time.”