Fakenham Town have opted for continuity by handing Neil Jarvis the first team manager's position – with Robbie Harris as his assistant, writes Gareth Davis.
Jarvis and Harris successfully guided the Ghosts through to the end of the 2014/15 Thurlow Nunn Premier Division season having taken over in a joint caretaker capacity following the March departure of Wayne Anderson. Now they have been given the responsibility on a permanent basis with Jarvis leading the way while Harris takes up his first coaching position.
Director of football Geoff Saunders said: 'You only have to look at the results and performances after Neil and Robbie took over to see that they are a good fit for this football club.
'Neil has been through everything at Fakenham Town and he fully deserves this opportunity as our new first team manager. He brings a calmness to the role along with his outstanding tactical knowledge and ability to get the best out of his players.
'Neil is someone who is Fakenham Town through and through and he will give the role his utmost commitment. This is also a big opportunity for Robbie Harris, who has expressed an interest in moving into coaching and management so this has come at just the right time for him.
'Robbie has been with us for two years as a player, during which time he has become a very popular person around the club. He has plenty of experience from playing at a higher level before joining Fakenham, which he has been very happy to pass on to our younger players, and he – just like Neil – is very highly respected within the dressing room.
'We are delighted that Neil is taking over, assisted by Robbie, and we have every confidence in them making a success of their roles.'
Jarvis, 50, first joined Fakenham as a player in 1986 and after a successful playing career he became reserve team manager and in 2000 was installed as first team manager.
After two successful seasons he took a break from football before returning as under-18 boss and first team coach.
Former, among others, King's Lynn hitman Harris, 31, has scored 40 goals in his two seasons at Clipbush Park.
Discussions are now ongoing over the make-up of the rest of Fakenham's football structure, along with someone to head up the club's new Academy which will be fully operational this autumn.
Saunders said: 'This is an exciting time for Fakenham Town Football Club with a lot happening, and not just at first-team level.
'We have plans in place to move ourselves forward as a club and with the right people in the right positions we look forward to achieving our aims.'
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