PAUL Bugg said he has been “overwhelmed” by the messages of congratulations and support he has received since being named as the new manager of Whitton United.

Bugg has been appointed as successor to Ian Brown, who quit last month after three years in the job soon after leading the Ipswich-based side to their second successive Suffolk Senior Cup victory.

The 41-year-old has spent most of his managerial career in the SIL, starting with a 12-year stint at Brantham Athletic, where he was assistant to Peter Gorham, before joining Haughley United, who were close to folding, and then returning to Brantham. He then took over at Stowupland Falcons, who were also in trouble, before assisting Gorham at Ransomes Sports.

He said: “I have known Peter Gorham for 20 years - he is my ‘footballing daddy’ and has been a great help in both my playing and managerial career.”

Bugg turned down the post as manager of Ipswich Wanderers following Steve Buckle’s departure last autumn to stay at Leiston, where he managed the reserve side for the past 18 months, and recently had the chance to be joint manager of an SIL side.

Bugg, who lives in Ipswich, took Leiston Reserves from the bottom of the league to third place in the Ridgeons Reserve League North Division last season, when they were only denied the probability of finishing runners-up as their final match against Norwich United was not played. Andrew Broughton, who was his assistant at Leiston, will be following him to Whitton.

He said he was grateful to chairman Ruel Fox to be given the chance to manage the newly-named Thurlow Nunn League Division One side, who have just missed out on promotion in each of the past two seasons.

“My telephone has not stopped ringing since I get the job,” Bugg said yesterday.

“I have had messages of support from not only people at Leiston including chairman Andy Crisp and manager Mark Morsley, but from Ridgeons League clubs. I have been overwhelmed by the number of texts and emails I have received as well as messages on Twitter.”

Bugg’s first signing will be Needham Market’s Ethan Clarke, who is brother of Whitton player Anton, ironically the first player to join Bugg at Haughley.

He will be meeting the players at Whitton’s King George V ground this afternoon, and admitted: “I will be surprised if everyone stays. My first objective will be to stabilise the club with the players who remain at the club, although I have other players already in mind to sign.”