FC CLACTON co-owner Stephen Andrews has hailed the "ambition, passion, drive and enthusiasm" of new first-team manager Kieron Shelley.

The club's former reserve-team boss was appointed last night and replaces Tom Gooder, who left by mutual consent on Wednesday.

Shelley, who had been at Essex and Suffolk Border League side Weeley Athletic, will take charge for the first time when Hadleigh United visit for a Thurlow Nunn League contest on Tuesday night.

"The club are very pleased to announce that Kieron Shelley is to be our new first team manager," said Andrews, who runs the club with co-owner David Ballard.

"Having previously been our reserve-team manager, and more recently having achieved back-to-back promotions with Weeley Athletic, as well as an Essex Cup semi-final appearance with Weeley last term, Kieron has served his apprenticeship and is ready to step up and test himself at a higher level.

"Having lost our opening eight games, he comes in at a difficult time and the players, staff, supporters and everyone else associated with the club will work tirelessly with him with one common aim - to get points on the board as soon as possible.

"We feel he has the ambition, passion, drive and enthusiasm needed not only to get us out of our current predicament, but in the longer term to get the club to where we want it to be."

Senior player and club stalwart Sean Hillier is taking charge of the side for today's FA Vase first qualifying round tie at home to Enfield 1893.

Shelley's first game in the dug-out will be Tuesday's Thurlow Nunn League premier division contest against Hadleigh United, at the Rush Green Bowl (unless a Vase replay is needed).

Gooder left by mutual consent, after a disappointing start to the season.

Clacton have lost all seven of their premier division matches and currently sit bottom of the table, with a goal difference of minus 30.

However, Gooder was defiant and determined to turn things round, knowing his team were still only a handful of points away from the safety of mid-table.

His last match in charge was Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Fakenham Town.