FC Clacton have said Tom Gooder is a perfect fit for the club after appointing him to be the Seasiders’ new first team manager.

Gooder is taking over as boss at the Rush Green Bowl following the departure of manager David Coyle last weekend.

Joint owners Stephen Andrews and David Ballard issued a statement saying that they had been impressed by those who applied for the position, but Gooder stood out as being the best fit for the club.

In a statement, Andrews and Ballard said: “We were heartened by the number and calibre of those who got in touch regarding the vacant manager’s post.

“Finding someone to take over from David (Coyle) was always going to be difficult, but the choices we had made it even tougher.

“We want to put on record our appreciation to all those who got in touch and applied.

“One application in particular stood out from the others and upon meeting him, the decision suddenly became much easier and we have this morning appointed Tom Gooder as First Team manager.

“Tom has not managed in this (Thurlow Nunn) League before, but is a highly-rated coach, who will be a perfect fit for a predominantly young team.

“His enthusiasm and ambition was evident, but what really struck us was that his principles and ethos exactly matched ours.

“We could get players in from far and wide, we had highly respected applicants get in touch who have the contacts to easily do that, but we want to build.

“We still have a few ‘older’ heads, but in the main we have young, local players in our first team squad and with huge potential.

“Add to that all those in our double winning under-21s team, plus below that an amazing youth set up and it is obvious that our priority must be someone who can coach and work with them, develop them as players and build a squad.

“In Tom we have found someone who fits that criteria perfectly.”

Meanwhile, the club statement also said that they had taken the decision to withdraw a Clacton team from the Essex Olympian League under-21s next season.

Instead, the Seasiders’ under-21s will be merged with the reserves and compete in Essex and Suffolk Border League division one.