New Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley believes he can take the club forward after being appointed as Alan Devonshire’s successor.

Cowley has signed an initial two-year deal with the Iron today.

In his four years at the Iron helm, Devonshire established Braintree as a Conference Premier club but declined the offer of a new contract to lead them for a fifth year two weeks ago and it will now be Cowley who will lead them onwards.

The 36-year-old joins the Iron from Conference South side Concord Rangers, where he has earned a reputation as one of the most exciting and talked-about young managers in Essex.

It has been an exceptionally successful spell for him in his eight years in charge of the Canvey Island side.

He has led them from the Essex Senior League through three promotions and to the upper end of the Conference South in his eight years as boss there as well as having notable cup success.

Cowley’s team made it into the first round proper of this season’s FA Cup and also retained the Essex Senior Cup this year after beating Braintree in the final of the 2013/14 campaign.

However, he is ready for the next stage of his career and knows that he can lead Braintree to the next level.

He said: “First of all, it’s a great opportunity for me, one that I think I fully deserve and will mean that I have now managed at every step in the pyramid.

“I think it’s a fantastic job and wouldn't have taken it if I didn’t believe that I could take the club forward, especially after the progress made over the last four years.

“I’ve always been a winner, but it’s not going to be an easy challenge.

“That said, it’s one that inspires me to ensure that we all do everything in our power to make it a success.

“I’m really looking forward to it!”

Braintree is a town that Cowley knows well as his family come from there and a further family connection will come as his younger brother, Nicky, who has been his assistant at Concord, will be joining him at the Iron.

Braintree chairman Lee Harding is delighted with the appointment.

He said: “I’ve been really pleased with the calibre of applicants for the job and thank them all, but Danny has really impressed us.

“I have been aware of his progress over recent years, have enjoyed hearing his views on the game and his desire to bring success to our club.

“The next few years will be pivotal in our history and I am confident that Danny will take us forward and be part of an exciting future.”