Wroxham appoint Batch

Wroxham have announced that David Batch will be their manager from the start of next season.

The former Cambridge United player will take over the reins of the Ridgeons Premier side from Andy Baker, who is stepping down because of domestic commitments.

Batch, who runs children's sports coaching company Premier Sport, said: 'I haven't been involved in management since I left Cambridge City six years ago as I've been very busy building my business in the meantime. Although I've had a couple of offers, some of them at levels higher than this, this is something that suits me brilliantly. There are not millions of miles of travelling and the league suits me well - most of the clubs would not, but Wroxham do.'

Batch, 36, played for Wisbech and Norwich United after leaving Cambridge United, before taking over as Downham manager at the age of 21. He went back to The Abbey to manage the U's youth and reserve teams, before becoming manager of Cambridge City.

He admits the approach from Wroxham came 'out of the blue', but added: 'It's an interesting challenge. Most managers take over when a team is struggling, whereas I'll be taking over a team that will finish in the top six and want to finish higher and win the league.

'The expectations will be high, but the players that are already there and the players we'll be adding want to finish top, that's why they want to play at Wroxham, because they think they have a chance of doing that.

'We've already identified some players we want to get in, but it's really important for me that the players already there don't feel that they're going to be brushed aside. There's some good players at Wroxham, what we want to do is add some more good players and give them every chance of winning the league.'