WITH Stanway Rovers matching his own personal ambitions, Terry Spillane says taking the job as the club's new manager was a "no-brainer" for him.

Spillane, who counts Maldon & Tiptree, Redbridge and Aveley among a host of clubs he has managed at in an accomplished career, is bringing his wealth of experience to the Hawthorns and is intent on leading them up to step four of the non-league footballing pyramid.

He has taken over at Rovers following the departure of former boss Lee Fisher three weeks ago and said the club's ambition to get into the Bostik League fitted in with his own philosophy.

Having the knowledge of how to lead a successful Essex Senior League title push - having previously won it with Stansted - and possessing a contacts book that would be the envy of many non-league managers in Essex and Spillane looks a perfect fit for Stanway to realise their ambitions.

“Taking the job was a no-brainer for me," said Spillane, who is returning to football management after a year on the sidelines after leaving Aveley just over 12 months ago.

“Once I had spoken to Angelo (Harrop), who is the director of football here, and with the chairman and vice-chairman, I didn’t take a lot of convincing.

“They want to step up, so I certainly feel the club’s ambition matches my own.

“I may have taken a step down in terms of level of football, but I certainly haven’t taken a step back in terms of club because I definitely think this club is capable of holding its own in the Bostik League.

“That’s ultimately the aim.

“Maybe not this season and the club are realistic enough to realise that we are probably too far behind to catch the boys at the top, but that’s not to say we won’t give it a go.

“It’s not in my nature to not go for it, but there is no pressure on me.

“They’ve more or less said to me to make sure we stay in the division this season, rebuild, get a core of players in and then come next season, let’s be prepared to have a go at the league."

Spillane's last managerial position was with Bostik League division north side Aveley and while he left there in October 2017, he said his year out had not been spent away from the game.

He added: “I’ve had a year out and it has given me a chance to reassess myself because I’ve been watching Bostik League games, Essex Senior League games and Thurlow Nunn League games.

“It’s opened my eyes a bit because I’ve been able to travel where I fancied and it has recharged my batteries.

“But once this job came up, I had no hesitation in taking it.

“It’s a project for me, that’s exactly what it is.

“It’s a clean slate – an 18-month project and that’s how they have sold it to me.

“Angelo Harrop has come in as director of football; he has a vision and I didn’t take too much convincing.

“The set-up here is fantastic.

“It is a ground that is set to go into the Bostik League and that is the aim.”