AARON Bloxham says he will wear his heart on his sleeve after he was named as the new manager of Basildon United on Monday evening.

Former White Ensign manager Bloxham was appointed by chairman Dave Maxwell after the departure of Craig Gillam at the start of last week.

The 29-year-old says he aware that Gillam is a hard act to follow after he led the club to second in the Essex Senior League last term, their highest ever finish, as well as accruing a record number of points and winning the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup.

But Bloxham says he is relishing the challenge after joining from the Olympian Premier Division team.

“It is great to get the move to Basildon,” said Bloxham. “(Chairman) Dave Maxwell got in touch and I was pleased to make the move.

"The club had a hugely successful season last year and one thing I can promise fans is we will give 100 per cent and be competitive in every game.

“I will give it a good old go and bring in a strong group of people around me. I wear my heart on my sleeve and I expect the players to show that on the field.”

Bloxham enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Ensign, leading them to fourth in the standings this year having won promotion the season before and also brings his assistant John Radford to the Longman Motors Stadium.

The new manager is likely to have to revamp his squad this year, with a number of key players following Gillam out of the club, but Bloxham says that is not a major concern and says he has his eye on a number of targets.

“I understand a lot of the players were loyal to Craig but that is often the case in modern day football at this level,” he said. “Players are loyal to the manager and not the club but I have to accept that.

“I have spoken to a number of players already and will bring some over from White Ensign who I believe are capable of playing at this level.

“I need the players to respect me as I will respect them and they must appreciate we are building something here.”