Clacton boss Shelley says he and his players will do everything in their power to "rescue" the club from relegation

The Seasiders have made a turbulent start to the new Thurlow Nunn League campaign, sitting rock bottom after eight straight defeats.

They parted company with boss Tom Gooder last Wednesday and appointed Shelley just over 48 hours later, on Friday evening.

He was in the dug-out for the first time for Tuesday's unfortunate 1-0 defeat against Hadleigh United.

And while disappointed to lose, Shelley spoke afterwards of his great passion and desire to keep the club in the premier division.

"I’m a winner and don’t like losing," said the former Weeley Athletic boss.

"But these things happen. It’s part and parcel of being a manager and we – the players and myself - have to accept it and react in the right way.

“I came away feeling positive, knowing there’s something to work with.

“The fact the players gave what they did, to a guy they’ve just met, shows that we’re all signing from the same hymn sheet.

“Like me, they want to rescue this club from relegation because it's too big to go down.

“Clacton have been around for a long time and had some cracking players.

“The town’s big enough to accommodate two big teams (Clacton and Holland FC). I’m sure of that.

“Now we need loyal players and we need players who are going to roll up their sleeves – not people who are going to walk out when it gets tough.

“Hopefully all the young lads will get behind me and I’ll get behind them and we’ll move up the table.

“These boys are stepping up. They’re keen and hungry and it’s my job now to bring in fresh talent to come in and work alongside them.

“Together, I’m sure we can get off the bottom of the table.”

Clacton have resigned centre-half Steve Downes and also brought in striker Ross Nash, from Weeley.

And there should be more new signing in the coming days.

Shelley plans to use his contacts and knowledge of the Essex and Suffolk Border League to bolster the Seasiders squad.

“I know from my experiences in the last few years that there’s plenty of talent out there in the Border League," he said.

“There are players out there who have been overlooked, who are more than capable of stepping up to this level.

“It’s just a question of working on fitness and working together as a group of players.

“Some of them don’t want to step up to a higher level.

“Some of them are happy playing with their mates and happy not to have to commit to travelling.

“There’s lots of reasons why people don’t want to move up and it is a big commitment.

“But when you start winning and get the bug for it, everything else follows.

“You’re playing in stadiums, in front of crowds and things start happening around you.

“You start to feel like you’re part of a real team and a real football club.

“When you get a taste for that, and hopefully start winning, everything else should fall into place."

Clacton visit Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday before hosting Felixstowe and Walton next Tuesday.