MATT Carmichael and Michael Brothers have been unveiled as the new joint-managers of Brantham Athletic.

The pair have replaced Paul Skingley, who is taking up a senior committee role, and their first game will be tomorrow’s home match against Newmarket Town.

Carmichael joins from Essex and Suffolk Border League leaders Little Oakley, where he had been a coach, while Brothers has been shining for FC Clacton.

“We’re really looking forward to it and excited by the challenge ahead,” said former Harwich and Parkeston manager Carmichael.

“We want to do things as properly and professionally as possible and, of course, we hope to stamp our own mark on things.

“I’ve got so much time for all the people at Oakley.

“If this hadn’t been a local job at a higher level, I wouldn’t have even contemplated it, but I feel it’s the right time for me personally to step up.

“I’m ambitious but I know my level.

“I wouldn’t want to get ahead of myself but feel this is the right time, the right club and the right opportunity, both for myself and Michael.

“He’s a good friend and still a very good player, who has been at a high level in his career.

“I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else and together we really hope we can help Brantham progress.

“It’s a great club. A real family, community club and very similar to Oakley.

“We want to do well and we want to be successful.”

Brantham are currently 10th in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division and they came from behind to pick up a useful point at Saffron Walden on Saturday.

Brothers has been a key part of Clacton’s revival in recent weeks, helping them off the foot of the Thurlow Nunn League premier division after an unbeaten run of four games and three straight victories at the Rush Green Bowl.

He admits it is a wrench to leave but is also excited by the challenge ahead.

“It’s a massive opportunity and one that couldn’t be turned down,” said the former Needham Market striker.

“I’m absolutely gutted to leave a very genuine manager (Kieron Shelley) and group of players (at Clacton). But I hope I’ve helped. I feel I’ve done as much as I could while there.”