FC CLACTON have appointed Kieron Shelley as their new first-team manager.

The former Seasiders coach has returned to the Essex Senior Club as their new boss, following the departure of Michael Hanna earlier this month.

Shelley has previously managed Harwich and Parkeston, Wivenhoe Town and Dunmow Town, who won the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

Writing on social media, Shelley said: 'No brainer for me. Clacton boy born and bread (sic). Tough times on and off the pitch. Please get behind the club.

'Any players out there want some step 5 football โ€ฆ give me an inbox'.

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Shelley takes over an FC Clacton side who lie bottom of the table after 16 games, with only one win to their name.

His first game in charge will be the club's home match against Saffron Walden Town on Saturday, kick-off 2pm.

In a statement, FC Clacton said: 'We love Kieron and have watched with interest as he developed as a coach, while still retaining the passion, commitment and drive we all know he has in abundance and thatโ€™s exactly what we need.

'Just to make things even better, his dad Michael and Harry Underwood have also accepted our invitation to join the club as vice-chairmen responsible for all first team matters.

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'The legal matters relating to the Lease will hopefully be resolved somehow, but whatever happens and however hard TDC try, the club was established in 1892 and is not going to end in May 2025.

'We could not be happier as this appointment addresses the on field improvement the first team needs right now and also lays foundations to get to where we want to be in the future.'

FC Clacton are inviting all supporters to join them in the bar for a Q&A with Shelley and the chairman Stephen Andrews, after the match against Saffron Walden on Saturday.