Gary McCann has announced that Scott Cousins will step up to take over as coach following the departure of Junior Lewis.

Gary said "As I said at the awards evening on Saturday, I am confident that I will be able to keep the majority of the squad from last season, though a lot of them will get offers from other clubs. I think the appointment of Scott Cousins as coach has certainly helped. He will be replacing Junior Lewis who has decided to move on.

"It is my belief that Junior was the best coach in non-league football, but Scott was, for many years, the team captain, so the players know him and what he is about. He has the same coaching ethics as Junior and he will get the chance to put his own plans and styles into place, while still playing the same type of football.

"I will not change the way I want my teams to play and he is of the same opinion. It will be a great chance for him to make a mark in his first coaching job.

"As for the playing side, I believe that the squad doesn't need too much in the way of strengthening. Most of the players have committed to returning which is great news because I feel that we have four each of outstanding central defenders and full-backs - so we have plenty of cover all across the back four.

"Our central midfield was as good as almost any in the Ryman League Premier Division and we showed what we could do up front with the number of goals we scored. We will be looking to bring in a few players, maybe a goalkeeper, a couple of wide players, somebody up front.

"I must be honest I was a bit clouded at the end of last season. I began to wonder if I had taken the Club as far as I could. I had a conversation with Gordon Bartlett which helped to clear my mind and realise there were challenges I could meet here. I love the Club and it has been a big part of my life for so long and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

"We have been, for the past four or five years, a Club that has been in transition or going slightly backwards - it is always difficult for a club to move forward when they don't have their own home - but things are in place for a big move forward in the not too distant future. The setting up of the Youth section is very important to me and to the future of the Club.

"The offseason is always a busy time for managers and I have been spending hours on the phone talking to players. It is going to be a real challenge to match what we did last season, but I am confident I will be able to put together a squad which will be more than competitive."