Mark Morsley, who guided the Marketmen to the Ryman North title two seasons ago, is to step down as boss of Needham Market at the end of the season.

Morsley, who guided the Marketmen to the Ryman North title two seasons ago and who first joined the club 15 years ago, punctuated since with managerial spells at AFC Sudbury and Leiston, will become chairman of Needham Market Football Club Ltd.

Richard Wilkins, Morsley’s current assistant manager will take over the hotseat as first team boss, with Tom Rothery becoming assistant manager/head coach; Nathan Munson will continue as goalkeeping coach.

Keith Nunn the current club chairman continues as President and Chairman of Needham Market FC, as well as a board member of the Limited Company.

Morsley has recently spoken of his desire for a more ‘hands-on’ role ‘upstairs’ at Needham Market, and with an excellent replacement in Wilkins already at the club, Needham have decided the time is now right for Morsley to make the move.

“It is the right time for both me and the club,” Morsley said.

“Bringing Wilks in at the start of the season was not only a coup for my management team but I knew then that he was the right man to be our manager one day and that time is now.

“His attention to detail, knowledge of the non-league game and the way he conducts himself makes him the perfect appointment. My role will be to oversee his progress as well as being able to have an input into the footballing side of our Academy, talking to other clubs about loan deals for our better scholars and driving forward the Needham brand.

“This move for our 1st XI management set up will continue with the ongoing development of our club and I believe there will be more exciting times for the club and its excellent supporters ahead.”

Club Chief Executive Graham Emmerson said, “Mark has always been a part of the fabric of Needham Market FC; we saw that when he first joined us 15 years ago and despite creating successful sides at both AFC Sudbury and Leiston I always felt he would end up leading us in our aims and aspirations.

“As a club, we are aware that many teams who move up the football pyramid often stall or even fail because they do not have a decision maker who really has ‘been there and done that’ and no one fits that bill better that Mark.”

Needham have had a fine season, currently sit in fourth place in the Ryman Premier and still in with a good shout of a play-off place.

On Saturday they travel to Staines.