NEW Bowers & Pitsea boss Rob Small has appointed his backroom staff ahead of the new season.

Small, who recently joined from Southminster St Leonards, has added Harry Stevens as his assistant manager, Mark Hunter as coach, and Stuart Fergus as a player/coach.

The Len Salmon stadium chief said all three additions will prove valuable assets.

“Harry (Stevens) has played for me in all my three years at Southminster and knows exactly how I operate and what I expect from my players,” said Small. “Before that we were team mates at both Bowers and Burnham Ramblers. He knows football at this level inside out and is someone I trust. We have a close relationship and he won’t be afraid to put his views across.

“Mark (Hunter) is someone I have only met recently but he is a football man and he worked with Basildon's first team last season and is the head of Bowers youth, so he is already imbedded in the club.

“This will be my first experience of working with a youth set up and I am relying on Mark to guide me. The youth set up at Bowers is excellent and Mark has done great work for the club.”

Small says Fergus was also a key component of his success at Southminster, and he also played alongside him at Burnham Ramblers and Bowers.

“He runs his own coaching business and will contribute on this side of things as well as on the pitch.”

Small added the club are looking to employ a physio and a goalkeeping coach, after the departure of Wayne Franklin.

BASILDON UNITED ADD FRANKLIN TO THEIR BACKROOM TEAM

BASILDON United have appointed a new goalkeeping coach after he was released by his former club.

The Bees have added Wayne Franklin to the club’s coaching set-up after he was let go by Bowers & Pitsea when new boss Rob Small took over at  their Basildon rivals.

Franklin said: “I had a number of conversations with Rob and I decided it was best for me to move on and look for a new challenge.

“I know Craig (Gillam) well and am pleased he is to continue as assistant manager. The set-up at the club is looking good and I know the current crop too. Steve Brown is an excellent goalkeeper and the youth players are coming along nicely too.”

Basildon United manager Colin Cook said it was a great signing.

“Wayne has proven himself to be an excellent coach,” he said. “I look forward to working with him.”