Paddy DavittKing's Lynn Town joint boss Gary Setchell has backed former Conference South midfield duo Luke and Jamie Thurlbourne to spearhead an exciting new era at The Walks.Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn Town joint boss Gary Setchell has backed former Conference South midfield duo Luke and Jamie Thurlbourne to spearhead an exciting new era at The Walks.

Setchell is confident the Cambridgeshire-based brothers can play a major part in the club's United Counties Premier Division title bid. Teenager Luke and 22-year-old Jamie started last season at St Albans before linking up with ex-Norwich City defender Simon Charlton at Ridgeons Premier Mildenhall.

'They might not be two household names in these parts but trust me they are two massive additions to the squad,' said Setchell. 'They came down here with their father, walked into a fantastic stadium they hadn't seen before and we told them it's a chance to get their careers back on track.

'Jamie should have played at a much higher level but we want him to stay here for a few years and progress through the pyramid to a position he feels he should be - which is Conference standard. With Luke I firmly believe if he plays well we will struggle to hang onto him. In my eyes as a manager it is no different to a Conference club signing a Football League player in terms of the levels. Proper football people will know all about these boys.'

Setchell and joint boss Kevin Boon have prioritised a young, hungry core at the heart of the club's renaissance.

'That is very much what we want,' said Setchell. 'Young players who, despite their age, have plenty of playing experience at a decent level and then you add the likes of Jack Defty and Brady Stone. Luke has got Conference experience under his belt and Jamie must have played 250 games in non league.

'I'm a big believer in giving young players a chance and, OK, if one or two don't make it then we'll look at that again. I would rather do that than go for a 30-year-old who has played 400 odd games at UCL level but can't handle the pressure and expectation of playing for Lynn.'

Boon revealed the Linnets' management duo are confident of capturing all of their main close season targets.

'To be fair, the order book is full even though we have one of the smallest budgets any Lynn manager has had for years,' said Boon. 'Obviously we have spoken to lads who have had wage demands we can't meet, but the ones we have shown around the ground and told them our plans have dropped those in a lot of cases.

'Someone like Luke is having a hard time coming to terms with slipping out of the professional game at Southend in the last year or so, but myself and Setch have promised to do all we can to get him back in at that level.

'He has had bigger clubs talk to him this summer and he is full of quality.'