NEW Basildon United boss Colin Cook says “playing without pressure” will stand his side in good stead heading into next season.

Cook, who took over from Laurie Carter for the final two games of the season, has taken charge of the Essex Senior League side after a successful season that saw them finish in ninth.

He also praised Craig Gillam, his assistant, and said he would not have accepted the job had Gillam not stayed on at the club.

Cook has been concentrating on work commitments for the last two years, meaning he has been unable to take part in football but he is now back and cannot wait to get started.

“I am so proud to be back in football and back with Basildon United,” he said.

“It was a great chance for me to get back into the game and I have some good people around me all striving for the same things.

“We already have some very good players here so my focus is on making sure the backroom staff is settled before I think about the squad.

“I am so pleased I am going to be working with Craig as I wouldn’t have accepted the post had he not agreed to stay on at the club as a player and my number two. He is very loyal and I trust him completely.”

Cook has been concentrating on work commitments for the past two years, meaning he has been unable to take part in football.

But he says he has been impressed at the progress the Bees have made.

“The club has come an awful long way in the last couple of years and I am dead set on keeping that momentum going.

“I have been in management too long to say what we can achieve at this early stage but I am under no pressure which could make all the difference. The club has chopped and changed quite a lot recently and I want to bring some stability back to the club. The boys will give it 100 per cent and I can’t ask any more than that.”

Cook’s son Ben is also on the coaching team at Basildon United and they are in talks with a goalkeeping coach as well as looking for a sponsorship deal.

The club has recently signed a deal with TLM Management, with the ground now called the TLM Stadium.