New Whitton United manager Shane Coldron is placing the emphasis firmly on youth after taking over at the Thurlow Nunn Division One club.

The 44-year-old was assistant manager at Stowmarket Town last season, as Rick Andrews’ team won promotion to the Thurlow Nunn Premier, and has a good reputation for bringing young talent through.

Coldron, who played for Brantham, Clacton and Woodbridge – amongst others, during his playing days – replaces Steve Jay, who announced on Thursday that he was resigning after six months in the role. He will be assisted by Whitton stalwart Robbie Knott.

Coldron said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for me, I spent four years at Stowmarket with the reserves and the under-18s and I had a five-year plan, in which I was keen to be a number one, whether that was at Stowmarket or elsewhere.

“Stowmarket’s success has accelerated my reputation and my biggest achievement there was seeing the majority of players from my under-18s side play for the first team.

“I am quite excited by the challenge at Whitton, their youth setup and the ethos of the club, while having had three-and-a-half years in Division One, I know most of the teams and what to expect.”

Whitton finished in mid-table last season, Jay having guided the team away from trouble, having been appointed in November, shortly after a 9-0 drubbing at the hands of Woodbridge Town.

“Whitton have got a good reputation and Paul Bugg (New Diss Town manager) has done well there in recent times,” Coldron added.

“The key for me is to not only get success but to create stability at the club and promote youth – leaving a legacy that I can pass on to the next guy.

“Looking immediately to next season, I think Division One is a winnable league and with a bit of experience, added to the young players we already have at the club, then we have a good chance of success.

“Let’s not forget that Steve Jay had already started to turn it around and Whitton had started to beat the top teams by the end of the season.”

Former Hadleigh United and Stowmarket boss Jay said: “We did our best with what we had but it did not feel right for me to stay on.

“I would not have wanted to remain and done the job half-hearted, so it is best that I give someone else a chance.”