New Aylsham manager Martin Meek knows he has a tough act to follow after taking over from Brian Clark – but he is confident he can take the club forward.

Clark guided Aylsham to successive promotions before standing down at the end of another triumphant season

And having been handed the reins his successor now has the tough task of maintaining the progress in Division One of the Anglian Combination.

Senior football will be a whole new ball game for Aylsham but Meek is up for the challenge –- and can't wait for the new season to get under way.

'Brian did a brilliant job for the club and obviously he is going to be a very tough act to follow but I am really looking forward to it,' said the former pub landlord, who has run establishments in Gorleston, Diss and Skeyton.

'It's an exciting time at Aylsham with a new ground hopefully coming soon and the club back in senior football and it will be my job to build on what Brian has achieved.

'The first target will be to consolidate and ensure we remain in Division One – but my ambitions for this club are much bigger than that because there is a tremendous amount of potential here.'

Meek, originally from Nottingham but a resident in Norfolk for many years, has a wealth of experience in local football with clubs as diverse as Buxton, Dereham – where he worked with the club's youth players – and Hoveton Wherrymen. He is also a qualified referee.

The new boss is already planning for the new campaign and issued an open invitation for players to come along to the first training session of the summer at Aylsham Recreation Ground next Tuesday (7pm).

'With the first team, reserves and A team, there are plenty of opportunities for players of all standards,' he said.

'Obviously I am hoping the lads who played for Brian will stay put – but I will be looking to add a few new faces as well.'

Holt United, who will be playing in the same division as Aylsham next season, are also poised to name a new management team.

Previous incumbent Jim Blandford left the club towards the end of last term, with the Owls going on to narrowly avoid the drop from Division One after a campaign that had started brightly with a run to the third round of the Norfolk Senior Cup.

In the end they need a helping hand from others to survive after losing their final game of the season.

It is understood the new men in charge have already been chosen and an announcement will be made once the appointments have been officially ratified by the club committee.

In the meantime training for the new season has started, with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Holt Sports Centre. Any players old or new wanting to get involved should simply turn up on the night.