JASON Pettit has been confirmed as the new assistant manager at Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division Felixstowe & Walton United.

Manager Kevin O’Donnell confirmed today that Pettit will be joining him in the dugout following the resignation of joint manager Rob Charles last week.

O’Donnell has moved swiftly to recruit Pettit who joins the club from Thurlow Nunn First Division side Debenham LC.

Pettit joined the Hornets at the beginning of the 2011/2012 season as Reserve team manger and following some major changes at the Mid-Suffolk club he took on the role of assistant manager to newly-appointed Dale Vince. At the start of the current season he became joint manager with Vince, and it is from this position he joins the Seasiders as O’Donnell’s assistant.

Pettit has a number of years’ coaching experience at both senior and junior level and has worked with O’Donnell previously. He will hopefully quickly integrate himself into the first team set-up.

An FA Level 2 Coach, Pettit has spent a number of years as a youth-team coach and manager, and will hopefully be a key element in O’Donnell’s plans to further improve links between the Senior and Junior sections within the club.

O’Donnell tried to obtain Pettit’s services back in October when he first joined the Seasiders, but at the time there were loose ends and he was unable to finalise a deal.

O’Donnell said: “I am really pleased that Jason has agreed to join the club as my assistant manager, having known him for a number of years I am looking forward to working with him once again and strongly believe that together we can bring success to the club.

“This appointment will help to bring back some stability to the first team after last week’s announcement regarding Robbie. I was sorry to hear of Robbie’s departure and wish him well for the future - however, my focus remains on bringing success to Felixstowe & Walton United and having Jason working with me will help to make that happen.”

O’Donnell today also confirmed the signature of goalkeeper Danny Crump.

An experienced ‘keeper, Crump joins from SIL Senior Division side Grundisburgh. Crump started his football career with the Seasiders a decade ago and joins his brother Andy at their home-town club.

Crump had been on O’Donnell’s and Charles’ radar for a number of weeks, and with the departure of Andrew Plummer to Ryman Premier Division side Lowestoft Town and the injury sustained by Matt Ray last week, obtaining Danny Crump’s signature had become a key priority following Charles departure.

O’Donnell confirmed that Crump will go straight into the squad for Saturday’s trip to Brantham Athletic.