STEVE Pitt has been unveiled as the new manager of FC Clacton.

The experienced former Wivenhoe Town boss beat off more than a dozen rivals to become David Coyle’s successor at the Rush Green Bowl.

Former Dragons assistant boss Michael Pulford will be his number two, while ex-Colchester United man Phil Coleman joins as coach. Both work for the Colne Community College’s football academy in Brightlingsea.

Pitt was given the seal of approval by both Coyle and former Seasiders skipper Paul Hillier, who were involved in the process alongside chairman David Ballard and co-owner Stephen Andrews.

And he admitted being “flattered and excited” to have landed the job, having spent part of last season as assistant boss at Heybridge Swifts.

“I was looking for the right opportunity to get back into management and feel flattered and honoured to have been appointed by Clacton,” he told the Gazette.

“It’s a position that ticks all the boxes.

“The catchment and potential is enormous and there’s a decent fan base, which is very exciting.

“David (Coyle) did an exceptional job last season and the statistics speak for themselves.

“It’s an unusual situation, because normally a new manager is appointed when a team is struggling.

“That’s obviously not the case here, given that the team were runners-up in Ridgeons League division one and won the First Division Knockout Cup.

“But I’m not just looking for consolidation next season, in the premier division.

“We want a top-half finish, if not better.

“As for the players, I’m not planning wholesale changes.

“It’s not necessary and I’m excited by the challenge of working within the confines of a small budget.

“There’s a nucleus of players here who clearly love playing for the team and enjoy the environment.

“That said, I’ve got certain targets in mind and I anticipate bringing in three or four new players.”

Pitt, who had two spells at Wivenhoe spanning ten years, has already been impressed by Ballard and Andrews.

“I find them very refreshing and if I had any doubts before meeting them I didn’t have any after meeting them,” he said.

“They haven’t got any agenda. They’re very genuine, very grounded and cut their cloth accordingly.”

Clacton received 14 serious applications for the job and that figure was then whittled down to a short-list of three or four.

Chairman Ballard is thrilled by the appointment and is confident his side have appointed the right man in Pitt, who twice guided Wivenhoe to the Southern League division one play-offs.

“Steve was highly endorsed by David Coyle and Paul Hillier, whose opinions we value very much. They carried a lot of weight,” he said.

“Steve has a long history of success in the local non-league game, plus a wealth of knowledge and contacts.

“We were very impressed by his long-term plans for the club and the fact he wants to see us continue moving in the right directions.”