BOBBY Barnes has been appointed as Basildon United’s new manager and says the club will compete in next season’s Essex Senior League.

The 27-year-old from Langdon Hills, who was in charge at Olympian side Ramsden last season, was unveiled as the latest man in the Gardiners Lane hot seat yesterday.

“I’m from this area and I’m massively proud to take over the town’s football club,” he said.

“It’s a big step for me but I’m not fazed by things and I’m ready for the challenge.”

Barnes said he has been assured by owner Dave Cusack the club will be withdrawing their resignation from the ESL before the deadline in June.

He said: “As far as we are concerned we will be competing in the senior league next season, and hopefully we can improve this year.

“Dave Cusack and Richard Mann wanted me to do the job, but I’ve made no promises I will put a team together which will smash this league.

“This is a long term plan and all I have said is that I will do better than what they have had in recent times.”

Barnes takes over from Chris Wood who was appointed in October but has now decided to return to former club Clapton.

Wood replaced Paul Larke following his appointment last summer, but was unable to lift them off the bottom of the table.

Barnes’ appointment makes him the club’s eighth manager in the last six years.

He started out as a goalkeeper at Ramsden until a bad knee injury ended his playing days at the age of 21 and he moved into management.

He said he loved his time at Ramsden and was grateful for all their support. But he revealed he had almost joined Basildon previously to take over a new reserve side, but the Olympian league did not accept their application to enter a team.

He said: “I think we are all looking at this as a new start for Basildon United — I’m not concerned about what has gone on before.

“I’ve been over to watch them this season and I know what a tough job it is going to be.

“But as far as I am concerned I don’t see any reason why the club cannot be much better than it is at the moment.”

Barnes’ assistant manager will be Michael Nicoll. Their new squad will be made up of a mixture of existing Bees players, some of his former charges at Ramsden, and anyone who impresses during open trials over the summer.