YATE Town’s new manager Paul Britton has appointed John Lester as his assistant — and is on the lookout for a new first-team coach as well to help out at Lodge Road.

Lester joins after spending 21 years at Bitton FC and Britton said: “I think he is relishing the new challenge.

“He does give me someone who will not just dig in and help but will advise me if I am right or wrong, so we will have two opinions going on at the same time.

“We are looking to get a first-team coach in place as well and I have a few options there.”

That first-team coach could be joining Yate Town inside a fortnight but, as Britton said, it is still early days to be planning for next season, with the old Southern League Division One South and West League campaign only ending a few weeks ago.

Britton has been at the helm for a month now and he is getting to know his way around the club.

However, the new manager has not yet had the chance to run the rule over his inherited squad, making it tough to decide who he wants to stay at Lodge Road and who he wants to move on.

He has seen them play just briefly since taking over from interim player-manager Darren Edwards, the final day 4-0 home defeat to Banbury.

So with the registration of players due in July, Britton and Lester need to make some key decisions on the make-up of their squad.

Currently he is happy with the current team but, after emphasising that youth is the key to their future, Britton also needs to bring in some experience to nurture that talent.

The manager said: “It’s just speaking to people. I have spoken to most of the existing players and there are just a couple outstanding.

“They are all keen to stay and there have been positive conversations. The squad needs improving from last year, and, while there are some good existing players at the club it’s a case of finding out which ones want to stay.”

Finding out which existing players want to stay means that, when the summer transfer merry-go-round gets into full swing, some who have signed up for next term may decide to move on in search of more cash.

Britton said he finds that ‘comical’ adding: “They may sign on the bottom line but you don’t know who will come in and pay more.

“Most people don’t know me at the club and I have to prove a few doubters wrong, but I’m really enjoying it so far and I can’t wait to get going.”

Meanwhile, Yate will face five new teams in the Southern League next season.

Hereford, Salisbury and Barnstaple have all be promoted from their respected leagues and will join the Southern League Division One South and West next season.

Also joining for 2016-17 will be Bideford and Paulton Rovers who were both relegated from the Southern Premier.