Iain O'Connell is the new manager of Great Wakering Rovers Football Club.
The one-time Southend United player, best known for his days with Dover and Margate - he won the Southern Premier title with both and played for them in the Nationwide Conference - takes over from Tony Cross.
Cross offered to quit on Saturday after the village side crashed back into the Southern Division One East relegation zone with a home defeat by fellow strugglers Leighton Town.
That resignation was eventually accepted at a Wakering committee meeting on Monday night and, with the club desperate to maintain their current status, O'Connell, who lives in Leigh, was speedily appointed.
He admitted: "This has all happened pretty quickly, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge.
"I shall certainly be bringing some new players in, but I know the talent that's available at the club and I feel very confident that we can avoid the drop back into county league football."
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