FARNHAM Town have appointed former Ash United striker Paul Duncan as their new manager.
The new boss has impressive playing credentials and wants to make his mark in management, having led Ash Reserves to a league and cup success two seasons ago.
"I've had three happy years at Ash, but I need a new challenge and when the Farnham job came up, I thought – there's a real challenge," Duncan told The Herald.
He was no doubt mindful that Farnham finished third from bottom in the Combined Counties League and have been in the doldrums for several seasons.
"I know a lot of players and obviously I want to bring some of them to Farnham. But I'm told that there are talented youngsters already there.
"I'll be glad if anyone wants to stay, but I can tell them we'll be training properly and working on fitness. I'm not saying we'll win things next season, but Farnham will get more results."
Duncan, a very fit 44, who lives at Mytchett and still plays the occasional game, played Isthmian Premier League football for Camberley Town and also saw service with Brentford Reserves, Woking and Ash United, where he set a number of records – not least scoring 85 goals in a season.
He played for Brentford against Charlton at The Valley and, as a youth player, had an unforgettable day at Anfield when he appeared in the FA Youth Cup Final for Surrey (they lost 3-1 to Chester).
It's certainly all change at the Memorial Ground, with a new chairman, new committee and now a new manager.
Duncan is bringing Ian McCoubrie and Ian McArthur as his assistants and will be working closely with Paul Tanner and Jim Carey who are continuing as reserve team managers.
There were a number of applicants for the manager's job. "Paul impressed us with his opinions about how football should be played, how a team should be organised and how he wanted to work with the rest of the club to achieve all-round success," said Keith Haskell, Farnham's chairman.
He also announced that Geoff Chapple, the former Woking manager and once a Farnham player, is to help the club in an advisory capacity.
Farnham will start training on Tuesday, July 1.