New Whitton United manager Shane Coldron has backed young guns Iuri Fernandes, Josh Hitter and Ryan Rampley to succeed at first-team level this season.

Whitton kick-off their Thurlow Nunn Division One campaign at home to King’s Lynn Town on Saturday, with Coldron at the helm for the first time.

The former Stowmarket Town coach replaced Steve Jay, who resigned as manager in the close season, and has added experienced campaigners Chris Williams, Scott Marjoram and Tom Bradlaugh to his ranks.

While that trio will strengthen the spine at Whitton, Coldron is also excited by the emergence of several of the club’s youngsters.

“We have got Iuri Fernandes, who is a full-back that has come through the youth ranks and if he keeps progressing the way he is, he won’t be with me at Whitton for long,” said Coldron.

“Then there’s Josh Hitter, who plays in central midfield and has impressed since coming across from the under-18s side and Ryan Rampley, a striker who I was with at Stowmarket last season, making an appearance for the first team.

“Those three all have good careers ahead of them.”

Coldron hopes that young trio can be part of a successful season at the King George V Playing Field this season, although he appreciates the league will be harder proposition than last time round.

“I think it will be tougher than last year as you had two big money teams leading the way then.

“For me there have been a lot of good signings made by teams and I think there will be six or wight teams, the likes of Holland, Debenham, Framlingham, Woodbridge for sure, Swaffham and Norwich CBS that will be really pushing.

“There is maybe only Woodbridge that I can see running away with things, given they have had a consistent team for the last couple of years.”

On Whitton’s chances, he added: “It’s come together better than I thought it would, we have a good nucleus, although playing in the league is going to be different than playing a pre-season game.”