SOUTHEND Manor manager Stuart Marshall admits the summer months are ‘one of the worst times to be a manager’ as he looks to strengthen his squad ahead of next season.

Marshall is looking to guide his team to a strong finish in the Essex Senior League next term, and has told the club’s board he wants to apply for promotion to the Ryman North.

And he says he is working hard to recruit players, while saying it is hard to plan all the while other clubs can come in for players.

“Players come and go so frequently at this time of year it is hard to finalise your squad,” said Marshall.

“They get promises from divisions above but there is nothing we can do about that.

“I am pleased with what I have. There are four players I want to have signed by next Saturday and these are guys that have played in the Essex Senior League or at a higher level.

“The guys I wanted to keep are staying and that is important as we have kept a good core and then built on that.”

Manor have signed former Basildon United pair Daryl Cooper and George Whitby.

He has also added defender Andrew Tirivanhu and Concord Rangers star of the future Bayley Newell.

Marshall said he is also in the market for a goalkeeper.

But says he is looking for something more valuable than players.

“I want to build something we have lost. I want to build a club,” he said.

“We have an under-21 and reserve team next season as well as an under-13 team in the Eastern Junior Alliance league.

“The league is going to be a difficult one and maybe ten teams have a chance.

“But we will give it a good go and do our best to ensure we are in with a shout.”