STEVE Pitt is back in non-league football.

The former FC Clacton, Wivenhoe Town and Stanway Rovers boss has been appointed general manager of Conference South side Bishop’s Stortford.

It is his first post since being sacked by Leiston after just 38 days in charge, last November.

And while he admits that “gut-wrenching” experience took the wind out of his sails, he now feels ready to return.

“I fell out of love with football and the fact I only watched five games in five months underlines that,” said Pitt, who will work alongside Stortford first-team boss Rod Stringer – the man who led Braintree Town into the Conference Premier.

“But Stortford are one of the few clubs I’d have joined.

“They fit the bill perfectly.

“They’re a first-class club, in terms of facilities and the way they operate.

“They play at a high level and, of paramount importance, I’ll be working with people I trust.

“It’s going to be a challenge, because the club had a well-documented budget cut.

“We won’t be able to compete with some teams in our division, which is why we’ve already lost some high-calibre players.

“But we’ve got a raft of players from steps two and three coming to join us for training.

“And in terms of our management team, we’ve got a wealth of experience and knowledge that will hopefully compensate for our lack of financial clout.”