GLENN Eldridge hopes to reignite his love and hunger for non-league football after returning to FC Clacton.

The former Seasiders manager is back at the Rush Green Bowl working alongside friend and first-team boss Tom Austin.

He has become joint-assistant manager and coach - a role he shares with Ade Webster - and turned down numerous other opportunities after recently parting company with Harwich and Parkeston.

He admits it is good to be back on familiar territory and says the role is exactly what he wants at this point in time.

"It's been crazy and my phone didn't stop after leaving Harwich," said Eldridge, who had 11 offers from step four to step seven clubs, ranging from manager, assistant manager and coaching roles, after parting company with the Shrimpers.

"To get people calling and offering me things was very nice and flattering, too.

"I said I wanted to take a break after leaving Harwich.

"I felt disillusioned and resented the fact people suggested I'd failed over there.

"I admit it was a bit of a struggle at times, especially after Christmas.

"But I was doing it on my own, with very little support, and did my best.

"Then the offers came in and this particular role gives me an ideal opportunity to get my love and hunger back.

"I can see that happening already.

"I can feel the buzz and have really enjoyed the first few training sessions.

"To be honest, it's the first time football's made me smile for a long while."

Eldridge is enjoying working alongside Austin and Webster.

He is good friends with the former, who, ironically, was number two during Eldridge's time as Clacton manager.

"This really suits me and ticks boxes in terms of what I'm looking for and what fits in with home and work life," he said.

"Tommy's one of my best friends in football and he's a dream to work with.

"He's building a really good squad and I want to do whatever I can to help.

"He's got a real grip on things, puts on good sessions and the boys respect him.

"The same goes for Ade.

"He's so experienced and if you can't learn from a man like him, you won't learn from anyone.

"Clacton are my home-town club so that suits me and the other nice thing is that I know most of the lads - many of them were at the club when I was there before. Boys like Wayne Chapman and Lee Clowsley.

"I trust them and I trust Tommy and Ade.

"I think we're going to work well as a management team and it's healthy being able to bounce off each other, rather than all the responsibility falling on one or even two people.

"I know what that's like from my time at Harwich."

Eldridge admits he was disappointed to part company with the Shrimpers, who have since appointed former Clacton management team Kieron Shelley and Mike Wallace.

"I felt I was doing a lot on my own and it's very hard," he said.

"But I didn't want to leave and wanted to manage Harwich in the Thurlow Nunn League.

"However, they wanted to go in a different direction, with me as part of a management team, and I wasn't keen on that.

"That's why I decided to leave but I wish them well next season."