Beccles Town’s new boss Gaven Tipple says the recent merger with St Benets Wasps was one of the main reasons he took on the job.

“There are many reasons why I wanted to be part of Beccles Town FC,” he said.

“The most notable one is the recent merge with the extremely successful and well respected St Benets Wasps youth programme.

“This merger has been needed for football players in and around Beccles for many years now and as a result there is a real excitement in the development of the club. To work with the new chairman Andy Woodcock is also a big attraction for me as after meeting him for the first time, I could see that he has the drive to turn this football club around.

“It is evident that he wants to have local players playing for the club and his association with the youth set up will only help make this happen.

“There can be nothing worse for him to see players come through years of youth football in Beccles for them to choose to go elsewhere to mainly play for the clubs outside of the town where under-18 teams participate in the local floodlit league. I’m sure that getting the facilities to run an U18 side ourselves will be at the top of Andy’s priority list and I have confidence in him achieving this.”

Following the club’s AGM long -serving secretary John Humby and vice -chairman David Walters decided the time had come for them to stand down, although both will remain involved on match days at the club and become life presidents.Due to personal time constraints chairman Chris Punt stepped down too, but will remain involved with the development committee of the ‘new’ Beccles Town FC following the merge with Wasps.

Woodcock took over as chairman, with Paul Honeywood moving from treasurer to secretary. Ashley Goldspink remains as fixture secretary and Toby Lowe a committee member and with further new members it takes the new adult section committee to 10.

“The response to the merge and the new committee structure has been well received at both youth (St Benet’s) and adult (BTFC) sections,” said Woodcock.

“It is also positive to see an increase in people keen to be involved with the adult section too. However, the final piece of the adult section – as important as every committee member, which will ensure we develop football at the club in the correct way and deliver youngsters playing their football through the youth section into the adult section – is the first and reserve team manager.

“Without fail I believe the exciting appointment of a highly qualified and respected coach in Gaven Tipple as first team manager will give the club and the town a huge boost and I am hopeful that current, past, and new players including those about to leave the under-16s of Wasps will join this exciting new venture and become part of a new era and footballing community in Beccles.”

The club start pre-season training on Tuesday July 15. Before that, the club will hold a meeting for players to sign on whilst also meet and greet the manager and committee to discuss the plans for the club. This will be held at The Beccles Sports and Social Club on Friday July 11 at 7:30pm.

The club is looking for a reserve team manager. Contact Woodcock on 07917 712417 or email andywoodcock@stbenetswaspsfc.co.uk.