NEW Holland FC joint-boss Jon Willis feels it is the right time in his career to take the plunge and step into management.

The 38-year-old has joined from Stanway Rovers, where he had been running the under-21s and working alongside Colchester United legends Kem Izzet and Karl Duguid.

Now he wants to cut his teeth in first-team management and he will work alongside long-serving boss Rob Batten.

Willis will watch his new side from the stands at Leiston Reserves on Saturday before stepping into the dugout for the first time for their next match, at home to AFC Sudbury Reserves.

“I’m really excited about it and, having been an assistant manager and coach for the last three or four years, definitely feel it’s the right time to take a job like this,” he told the Gazette.

“I’ve worked with some great, experienced people and learned a lot from them.

“Now I want to put it to good use by being a manager in my own right.

“It’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while - and something I want to do long-term - so this is a great opportunity at an ambitious club like Holland.

“It’s an exciting time for the club, with a new ground on the way, and they’re trying to build a new identity. I want to be part of that.

“As people will know, the club recently cut their budget so there isn’t any money to pay the players.

“But that doesn’t bother me because I’m all about working with and developing youngsters.

“That’s my background and that’s the way I like to do things.”

St Osyth-based Willis is looking forward to working with both Batten and Holland chairman Mark Sorrell. “Mark and Rob have been great and both are so passionate about Holland,” he said.

“We all want to take the club forward and we’re all on the same page as to the best way to do that.

“It was tough leaving Stanway as I’ve enjoyed my time there and working with Kem and Dugy.

“But opportunities like this don’t come around too often so when they do, you have to take them.

“I’m ready to manage and I’m looking forward to trying to put my stamp on things.”