New Leiston head coach Steve Pitt is looking forward to the challenge at Victory Road, yet acknowledges that there is a lot of work to be done at the club.

Pitt, alongside assistant Steve Ball, was announced by chairman Andy Crisp in the wake of the club’s FA Trophy exit to Wealdstone at the weekend.

And Pitt is confident in his ability to steady the ship at the club and bring some much-needed stability to proceedings.

“I’m very much looking forward to the challenge. Challenge is clearly the operative word but that’s why I took the job,” he said.

“I believe I can make a difference, otherwise I wouldn’t be here.

“It’s not going to happen overnight and there’s a huge amount of work to be done – I think that’s reflected by the position the club finds itself in at this precise moment in time.

He added: “I set myself a target with the chairman when I took the job and that was, first and foremost, to protect and maintain our status at this level.

“Then once we’ve done that, which is likely to take the remainder of the campaign, we can then look to consolidate next season and move forward from there.”

With a pedigree in the non-league scene around this region, Pitt moves to Leiston after a successful spell at Conference South outfit Bishop’s Stortford, where he assisted former Braintree Town boss, Rod Stringer.

Pitt’s wealth of experience and knowledge of the game were two of the main reasons why Crisp decided to hire the former Stanway Rovers and Wivenhoe boss. “I think if you look at my CV I’ve worked at every level, from step seven right up to step two which is where I’ve just come from,” said Pitt.

“I therefore think I’m equipped to deal with the situation that we find ourselves in, the level that we’re playing at, and the ability to bring something extra.

“I pride myself on my man-management and I pride myself on my ability to look after players and get the best out of them.”

A run of just one win in 12 games, against Thurlow Nunn outfit Haverhill Rovers in the Suffolk Premier Cup, currently leaves Leiston’s Ryman League Premier status under threat and Pitt is aware of the task ahead, claiming survival is ‘essential’ for the club’s progression.

“It’s vital for the club,” said Pitt.

“As far as I’m concerned as a manager and Steve Ball as a coach, it’s vital for us.

“I came here to manage the football club at this level, not to settle for a step backwards.

“I came here to maintain our status and be a manager at this level next season.”

Leiston’s main problem this season has been their lack of goals.

A paltry five goals in their last 10 league games has ultimately cost the Suffolk side this season and they have slipped into the relegation zone.

Pitt is aware of this and is seeking an immediate solution.

“It’s an area that obviously I’m looking at already as you would expect,” he said.

Pitt begins his managerial career at Leiston with a trip to mid-table East Thurrock this weekend.