JODY Brown says the time is right to get back into management.

And after taking the reins at Heybridge Swifts, the former Tiptree United boss wants to be part of what could prove an exciting era for the Scraley Road club.

Brown, who managed Swifts from December 2013 until June 2014, has been appointed as Cliff Akurang’s successor.

His first game in charge will be Saturday’s FA Trophy match at Aylesbury United.

“I’ve got a desire and a hunger to manage again and want to play my part in turning this club around,” said the 36-year-old.

“It’s a challenge that appeals to me.

“The club have exciting plans for the future, in terms of their new ground, and that day is getting ever-closer.

“It could be a really great time to be involved but, first and foremost, I have to make sure we remain in the Ryman League.

“I’m not under any illusions.

“I know it’s a huge job and a big challenge, because there are some big, powerful clubs in this division – teams that probably feel they should be playing at a higher level.

“There’s been a huge turnaround of players and more than a hundred have been here since I left.

“There’s been no stability whatsoever and while I’ll have to make more changes, to enable me to get the team playing the way I want them to play, I do want to stabilize things.

“It’s an opportunity to really test my managerial credentials.

Brown left Heybridge – currently bottom of the north division, with just one win from their opening eight games – to take the reins at premier division side Grays Athletic.

He subsequently managed at Conference side Welling United but it proved a short-lived reign as he was sacked after just 73 days.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s unfinished business here, because I left for the right reasons – to go on to bigger things,” he said.

“I feel as though I’ve moved around a fair bit in the last four or five years but always to move up the non-league pyramid.

“I’ve been involved in every level of non-league and learnt so much along the way.

“But this is something I want to be part of and I want to see it through.

“This season is about staying safe and then building from there.

“But in the future I don’t see any reason why we can’t get back in the premier division and maybe even further.

“Swifts aren’t a million miles away from where they want to be.”