NEW Yate Town manager Paul Britton has outlined his vision for the future and insisted: “I am full of optimism.”

Britton took charge of the Bluebells last week following the resignation in March of boss Craig Laird, who was replaced temporarily by Darren Edwards as interim player-manager.

Former Bristol Rovers Under-15 Academy coach Britton is in the role “for the long term” and wants Yate Town to thrive in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

The Bluebells ended their season in a disappointing 16th place in the table, when the pre-season hopes had been that they would be pushing for promotion or at least making the play-offs.

Great performances, like the surprise 5-2 drubbing of high-flying Swindon Supermarine in November, were more than countered by a long list of draws and defeats which saw Yate win just six times in 24 matches across all competitions.

Plans are afoot from chairman Colin Pick to buy their Lodge Road stadium in 18 months’ time, and that means there is little money in the coffers to enter the transfer market this summer.

But that does not bother Britton, a familiar face around the South West non-league football scene, as he has worked at clubs previously who have had tiny budgets.

Britton said his first week has been “good”.

He added: “I’m really excited by it all. I am glad to have had the opportunity to manager Yate Town Football Club and I’m really looking forward to it.”

The youth development policy which Yate are to employ for the future will see Britton working closely with director of football Nigel Hawkins, who has overseen the successes in the past seasons of the club’s teenage side in their respective competition.

Britton said: “Nigel and the chairman have had plenty of discussions on how to take the club forward and we want to take the club down a route which will build something longer term rather than having a short-term approach. We want something to be proud of.

“First and foremost, I want to be consistent. I didn’t apply for the job just to see us struggle. It will be a long road because the club has decided to go down a different route. There will be bumps along the way.”

But that belief in producing young talent and giving them a chance in the first team is very much at the root of the new Yate philosophy. Britton will mix them with some experienced players, which will be crucial for the club, but insists that he will not just put players into a highly-competitive first-team environment if they are unlikely to cut the mustard.

He said: “As for the youth team, we are looking to introduce as many as we can but they have to be able to play in the Southern League.

“I have been involved in developing footballers for a long time and I am passionate for them to grow up as Yate Town players. That’s what gives me a buzz.

“The youth team have been successful this season but it’s not automatic that they will be at Southern League level as it is a big step out of youth football to senior football.”

Britton’s pre-season has, he said, already begun even though the old campaign is only just over and he will review the squad over the next couple of weeks.

“We are looking for players who want to play for the club and want to play for each other rather than players who have only been here for one reason (money) in the past,” he said.

After a string of results since Laird left that has seen Yate take just two points from nine matches, losing all four without scoring in April, Britton said: “I want to enjoy my football and the supporters are really important and we want them to see a good game. It’s a new beginning.”