STOWMARKET Town have turned to former player Alan Johnson as their new manager.Johnson, who played for the club in the early 1980s along with current chairman Neil Sharp, has been appointed as successor to Louis Newman, who stood down from the post at the Ridgeons League Division One side last month.

Nick Garnham

STOWMARKET Town have turned to former player Alan Johnson as their new manager.

Johnson, who played for the club in the early 1980s along with current chairman Neil Sharp, has been appointed as successor to Louis Newman, who stood down from the post at the Ridgeons League Division One side last month.

Johnson, 47, said: “Louis Newman turned the club's fortunes around last season after the club had been near the bottom of the table, and I will be looking to build on the improvement made last year.

“New players will have to come in because young players who were at the club last season are now going off to university.”

Johnson, who lived in Stowmarket for 30 years before moving to Drinkstone last year, ran a Brazilian Soccer School, which taught youngsters the Samba skills, up until 2004, before joining Bury Town as manager of their reserve team in the Border League for two seasons.

During his second season he also became involved in assisting Andy Gould in running the Suffolk County FA Under-16 and Under-18 sides for two seasons, before concentrating on just the Under-18 side who he helped to win the FA County Youth Cup and East Anglian Counties Championship double in 2007/08.

He has also been involved with Colchester United for the past three seasons, coaching at various age groups from Under-9s and Under-14s and latterly was involved in player recruitment.

Stowmarket chairman Sharp said: “I am excited and very pleased to have Alan on board. The club wants to be moving forward, and I really believe we have the man, along with his assistant John Griffin, to wake this club up from its slumbers.”

Assistant manager John Griffin added: “I have recently been offered two manager's roles, but after speaking to Alan, and knowing the exciting 'off-the-field' activities that are going on at the club, I have decided to stay on and assist him.

“Alan is a very impressive coach, and his idea of structure and management are on the same lines as mine. I think our partnership will be very good and a massive benefit to this great club.”

Stowmarket begin their pre-season friendlies with a visit to Norwich United who have completed the signing of former AFC Sudbury striker Andrew Claydon from Felixstowe & Walton United and goalkeeper Ben Nower.