New manager appointed at Thurlow Nunn Division One strugglers, Whitton United
Whitton United Football Club. - Credit: Su Anderson
Steve Jay has been named as the new manager of Thurlow Nunn Division One strugglers, Whitton United.
The former Hadleigh United and Stowmarket Town boss will be assisted by current Whitton defender Robbie Knott, and watched his new side lose 3-2 at home to Premier Division side, Walsham-le-Willows, in the League Cup, in midweek.
Jay, who also had a spell as assistant manager to Glen Read at Ipswich Wanderers, said: “I have been out of the game for nearly three seasons and I am ready to give it a go.
“I watched them (Whitton) in midweek, it’s a young team and I was impressed by what I saw.
“We have identified the areas where we would like to strengthen the team and we will be looking to bring in one or two experienced players in to help the young boys. Not too many though.”
Whitton are currently sixth from bottom, having won two of their last three games since the 9-0 home defeat to Woodbridge just over three weeks ago.
The aim is to get the club back to the level they were at when Paul Bugg steered them to promotion with the First Division title and Suffolk Senior Senior Cup glory in 2014.
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However, Jay is under no illusions that he has a big challenge on his hands.
“We are not going to try and run before we can walk,” he added.
“Everything behind the scenes at the football club is going OK, but it’s gone downhill on the pitch the last couple of seasons.
“There is no quick fix but given time I think we can do a good job and the aim is to get back in the Premier Division.
“First of all though, we want to be one of the best teams in Division One.”
Jay is hoping to bring in a full-time coach from elsewhere, but will bounce off the ideas of Knott, who is taking his coaching badges.
“He (Knott) played for me at Hadleigh and I know Robbie quite well,” explained Jay, who confirmed Knott would be signed on as a player.
“It will be a case of good cop, bad cop, I’m the quiet one and he shouts and bawls a bit!”
Whitton host Team Bury tomorrow and Jay is delighted to be back in the game.
“I wanted one last crack at management and I have watched a few local games and had a couple of offers, but they have not been ones that have really interested me like this one has,” he revealed.
