New Chelmsford City boss Mark Hawkes delighted at such ‘a great opportunity’

New Chelmsford City boss Mark Hawkes has said he couldn’t turn down the opportunity to manage such a big club as the Clarets.

Hawkes was announced as the new boss of the Melbourne Stadium side today and – although he admitted it was difficult leaving former club and high-flying Heybridge Swifts – he couldn’t turn the chance down.

“To manage Chelmsford City is a great opportunity,” Hawkes said.

“They are a respected, big, non-league club and I’m very excited at the thought of managing them.

“Opportunities like this don’t come along that often and although I’m sad to be leaving Heybridge, I’m happy to be joining Chelmsford.”

Hawkes has done well at Scraley Road, where he and assistant Steve Smith have guided the Swifts to second place in the Ryman North One.

Smith is joining Hawkes at Chelmsford City.

“I’m very positive about the future for Chelmsford City,” Hawkes added.

“I know some Chelmsford fans will be happy about us joining, some disappointed and some asking why us? But I say to them, keep supporting the team and we will be giving our all to turn things around.”

Chelmsford are currently in the relegation zone in Conference South after making a disappointing start to the campaign.

Previous manager Dean Holdsworth parted company with the club earlier this month and Kenny Brown took over as caretaker manager for four games.

“Our first priority is to stay in Conference South this season,” Hawkes added.

“We have a great opportunity to kick on in the next few weeks with three of our next four games at home.

“I know it’s a big task but we’ll roll our sleeves up and I’m confident we can move up the table.

“Half the season hasn’t gone yet, so we have plenty of points to play for.”

Chelmsford City play host to Farnborough tomorrow as the Clarets look to avoid an eighth straight defeat. The Clarets’ most recent league victory came in the form of a 3-0 win over Eastbourne Borough on October 19.