Coach Ross McNeil is excited by the new challenge of becoming reserve-team assistant at King's Lynn Town.

With Jason Coe, more commonly known as Coey, moving away from the area due to work, second-string boss Jonathan 'Joff' Hawes needed to source a replacement ahead of the new season. That vacancy has been filled internally by the Linnets' former first-team coach who admits he can't wait to get started in his new role at The Walks.

McNeil said: 'I've been with Setch (first-team boss Gary Setchell) for six years as an assistant manager or first team coach. We both felt it was a good time for me to go with the reserves what with my job promotion etc. It's a new role for me and one I'm really looking forward to. It's going to be an exciting and challenging season ahead.'

The head of PE at the town's King Edward VII School (KES) had worked alongside Setchell at Swaffham and Wisbech before joining him at reformed Lynn in 2010. However, McNeil feels now is the time to step away from helping Lynn's boss – who is assisted by Neil Fryatt.

'Over the years I've worked with Setch and learned loads from him,' said the man who former Lynn captain Richard Bunting described as 'Mr Motivator'.

'We see this as the right decision for the club and I will still be communicating regularly with Setch and Neil and trying as always to do our absolute best for Lynn and our players. I have played with and worked with Joff and have loads of respect and time for him too. He has done a great job with developing the reserves and I am excited at becoming a part of that.'

Setchell added: 'It's a no-brainer. Rossi feels he has more to offer. I think he got a little bit frustrated that Neil and I did 90pc of the coaching last term. He'll slip into the role and help, like Coey did, Joff to keep our reserves progressing.'