BURNHAM Ramblers' new boss Bertie Brayley believes stability is the key after a turbulent pre-season.
Two managers have come and gone over the summer, with Keith Wilson moving to Heybridge Swifts and Lee Elliston announcing his shock resignation last Thursday, just two weeks into the role.
However, the Ramblers moved quickly to appoint Brayley as his replacement, with the 32-year-old boasting a wealth of non-league knowledge.
Brayley, who has played for a host of Essex clubs including Chelmsford City, Braintree Town and Heybridge Swifts, said: "I am very excited, I am still young and it is a good opportunity for me to get under the management banner. It was all very quick after Lee's departure.
"I was contacted Friday morning and then had a meeting that afternoon where everything was sort of tied up.
"First and foremost we need stability. I am not going to just go in and start talking about play-offs and promotion.
"There is a big task ahead, there isn't a big budget but it is all about keeping the players that can do well for the team. Obviously, I want to do well in the league and I have the best interest of the club at heart. I am not just setting a target of staying up, I want to be challenging later on.
"That is down to me as a manager to get it right and then pass that through to the players."
The Ramblers have also had a tough pre-season on the pitch, with five defeats in seven games. But after seeing the squad for the first time in their 2-1 loss to East Thurrock, Brayley is confident he has good players to work with.
He added: "I didn't meet the players before the game on Saturday. I just went straight to it and met them all there.
"Dave [Patient, assistant manager] had things in place, so I just told him to carry on as it was and I would put in my penny's worth as it went along.
"To be quite honest I was happy. East Thurrock have a good side and are a league above us.
"I think the work rate and our shape was good. Now where I come in is helping those players improve and develop."
