New Debenham Leisure Centre boss Rob Allum yesterday admitted he was preparing to take a break from management before an approach from the Ridgeons League side “triggered” his enthusiasm to take on the job.

Allum has been appointed as successor to Mel Aldis at Debenham LC, who are still waiting for official confirmation of their likely relegation from the Premier Division.

The 36-year-old was assistant to Mark Barnard at Haughley United for two years before spending four years at fellow SIL side Framlingham Town, the first year as coach to Trevor Wardlaw before having three seasons in charge.

Allum said: “Three quarters of the way through last season I had decided to walk away from football and have a break. I used to live in Stowmarket but moved to Norfolk and had resigned myself to not doing anything.

“Then out of the blue I had a telephone call from Kevin Snell at Debenham, and after initially not being sure about the job we had a meeting which triggered my enthusiasm to take it on.

“I loved every minute of being at Framlingham Town, which is a fantastic football club, although for one reason or another I didn’t achieve what I went there to achieve, which was to win promotion to the Ridgeons League.

“The Debenham job triggered something inside me - it is a different club at a different level and a new challenge which excited me again.”

Allum said he was under no pressure, assuming Debenham start next season in Division One, to win promotion back to the top flight.

“They have done pretty well to get from where they were to where they are now, although last season was a difficult one for the club.

“I will take each game as it comes; there will be no pressure on me to get promotion in the next couple of years, but you go into it to win it.”

Allum, who led Framlingham to wins over Stowmarket Town in last season’s FA Vase and Suffolk Senior Cup - the SIL side reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Whitton United - said he would like to have another run in the competition in the coming season.

He has yet to appoint an assistant, although Allum said he has someone in mind, while the veteran Dale Vince will be his first-team coach.

“He will be a great asset. Dale is a great lad and very experienced at this level,” he added.