Job change is no step back for Dereham Town-bound Fakenham boss Anderson

Published: 8:22 AM March 27, 2015 Updated: 2:41 PM October 10, 2020

The higher-level club Wayne Anderson is joining has been confirmed as Dereham Town. Picture: IAN BURT - Credit: Ian Burt

Departing Fakenham boss Wayne Anderson insists his decision to take over Dereham Town Reserves will not hinder his managerial progress.

The surprise around the 40-year-old's unexpected exit from Clipbush Park was heightened when it was confirmed yesterday that he's set to become the new manager of the Magpies' second-string – who play one level below Fakenham in the Thurlow Nunn League. However, Anderson remains adamant he's making the right move in the long term with Dereham's senior side already plying their trade a step above the side – as well as running a full-time academy – he will depart following tomorrow's trip to Clacton.

The highly-rated boss, who guided the Ghosts back to the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties set-up for the first time in 10 years last season, said: 'Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to go forwards in football. In the last month or so I have had big thoughts about things and I've been studying hard and realising it is time that I made a move.

'I know this move is right because obviously Dereham Town Football Club is a big club around here and they are in the Ryman League. There's a real opportunity to work with Matt (Henman, Dereham first-team boss) and with the academy (DESA) that are flying at the moment. Being in and around the club is unbelievable for me and I've got to take the opportunity to do it.'

Anderson – whose first game at the helm will be at King's Lynn Town Reserves on Saturday week – replaces current joint managers Tom Parke and James Suffling. They had taken the role on an interim basis earlier in the campaign.

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Dereham first-team boss Henman said: 'It's an excellent appointment from the club's point of view as we are bringing in someone who has lot of experience and a proven track record of managing at the level our reserves play at (Thurlow Nunn First Division).

'Wayne did a fantastic job at Fakenham and once he expressed his interest and said he was looking to make a change it was a really easy decision for us to make to get him onboard.'

For more reaction to Wayne Anderson's decision to swap Fakenham for Dereham, listen to reporter Gavin Caney's West Norfolk Sports Podcast episode 60 – online later this evening – at www.edp24.co.uk/wnsp