New AFC Sudbury manager Jamie Godbold could look to adopt a playing philosophy that is ‘maybe more pleasing on the eye’, after replacing David Batch at the Ryman North club.

Former Lowestoft Town captain Godbold left his managerial position at Thurlow Nunn Premier side Kirkley & Pakefield at the weekend, taking with him trusted assistant Andy Reynolds, a former Lowestoft Town and Ipswich Town goalkeeper who was on the bench for the latter’s 2005 FA Youth Cup triumph.

Former Stoke City youngster Godbold will be in the hot-seat on Saturday as the play-off chasing Yellows host Maldon & Tiptree in the league.

“I don’t really set targets, but certainly we will be looking to keep playing the way we have and continue to keep winning games,” said Godbold, who led Kirkley & Pakefield to fourth place in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division this season.

“I will adopt a different playing philosophy perhaps, one that is maybe more pleasing on the eye, and I will be trying to get fans through the gate as, having played at Sudbury with Lowestoft, I know what a tremendous atmosphere can be produced.

“It’s nice to go to a team that has momentum and is playing well and Danny (Laws) has done a fantastic job to get them into the play-offs.

“The players are confident by all accounts and it’s not a case of steadying the ship, more continuing on the good work that has been done.”

Godbold will combine the role with his position as East Regional Manager in coaching development and education with the Football Association, while Reynolds is FA Skills Team Leader for Norfolk and Suffolk, as well as being Suffolk FA Under-18s coach.

Their day jobs influenced the switch, with AFC considered to be one of the most forward-thinking clubs in terms of developing coaches and players from grass-roots.

“The challenge at Sudbury is probably greater than the one at Kirkley, but the two clubs are similar with regards to there being more than just the first-team to develop,” said Godbold.

“That falls in nicely with my day-to-day job at the FA and was one of the big reasons I was interested in the role. I don’t think there is another club within Suffolk that has foundations like that (at AFC Sudbury) in place and I don’t think I would have left Kirkley & Pakefield for any other club in the region.”

The club’s youth set-up will be overseen by Laws, who has appointed Director of Football and Youth Development, having initially been appointed head of the club’s youth development system in the summer.

Laws, who recommended the duo to the Sudbury board, will lead the club’s football academy which is being launched later this year.

“AFC Sudbury is a fantastic club, a great set-up, with great facilities and our vision of youth development fell quite nicely when we were asked if we would be interested in the role.

“It wasn’t a no-brainer though as I have enjoyed it at Kirkley & Pakefield and the last 18 months have been a fantastic experience.”

AFC Sudbury’s Ryman League Cup game at Witham Town was called off last night after a pitch inspection.