LES Thompson believes C&K Basildon Ladies ‘can achieve something special’ after being named joint-manager of the club.

Thompson has taken over from former Southend United boss Steve Tilson and will be joined at the helm by Luke Pierre.

And despite a large turnover of players during the close season, Thompson believes C&K Basildon are capable of springing a few surprises in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division.

Thompson, 29, said: “I’m buzzing to have the job and it was one that I couldn’t turn down.

“I originally had other plans for this season.

“I had a few offers to carry on playing and was thinking of getting a good pre-season in me as well as juggling playing and coaching the development squad.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to take on this commitment but it’s one that I am enjoying and I’m excited to see where it goes.

“The girls have been really patient throughout pre-season and, quietly, we believe we can achieve something special together.

“Pre-season has been full of uncertainty but, as the weeks have gone by, you can see the togetherness in the club is fully restored and everyone is pulling in the right direction.

“Training has been to a really good standard but without the likes of Sean Eldridge and Maxine Clarke, we wouldn’t have C&K Basildon Ladies this season - that’s for sure.”

And Thompson, who counts the likes of Concord Rangers and Thurrock among former clubs during his playing career, is looking forward to working with Pierre in the dugout.

The joint-manager added: “We haven’t got started together yet but, in the few chats I’ve had with him, his attention to detail and ambitions for the club are very impressive.

“His technical approach will only benefit our young side and I believe it is a really good appointment.

“Everyone at the club is raring to go and although stability in the league is the first objective, we are a young, dynamic group that isn’t coming just to make up the numbers.”

Thompson has had to contend with a number of key players departing the club.

Captain Zoe Rushen has joined Billericay Town Ladies while Angela Addison’s impressive form sealed a move to Tottenham Hotspur Ladies.

But Thompson is pleased to have seen a number of promising youngsters make the leap from the club’s development side.

Thompson confirmed: “We had a few development squad players who were involved with the first team last season but you could say literally the whole first team from last year has left.

“It’s been a case of the development squad players and coaches stepping up.

“At the end of last season I spoke with [ex-development squad manager] John Levy and we agreed that we wanted to push five or six of the squad into the first team, so a lot of the girls should see it as a natural progression.

“I’d say we are still a few players light from the squad we would want to work with for the season but, with everyone fit and available, I’ve seen enough to know we will surprise a few people.”