New Billericay Town boss Justin Edinburgh was soon in action on the first day of his job as manager of the Ryman Premier club.

The former Southend United and Spurs defender had meetings with club chairman Rod Moore and other officials at New Lodge last night to set up pre-season friendlies and start the hunt for players.

"Other clubs have got a head start on us as far as arranging pre-season games are concerned and we must start sorting things out quickly if we are to get some worthwhile friendlies," the new boss said.

Edinburgh goes into the job knowing that there will not be unlimited cash available on the playing side at Billericay.

But he insisted: "We will not be alone on that side of things. In our division perhaps only Canvey, Grays, Hornchurch and Kettering will be operating from a higher financial position. For the rest of us we're all likely to be on something of an even keel.

"Of course cash resources can help, but money alone is no guarantee of success. Whoever would have thought that a relatively small club like Burscough would have won the FA Trophy when the season began.

"Anyway, football overall has changed dramatically on the financial side over the past 12 months.

"There are a lot of top class pros who've come to the end of their contracts who are having to face the fact that they're being offered substantially less than they were before.

"And it also means that a lot of quality players will be dropping out of the league and be looking for places in the non-league game."

Edinburgh reaffirmed his determination to succeed in his first managerial post.

"I've been lucky enough to be a winner at the highest level and that's something I'm determined to continue as a manager. If I don't it won't be for the want of trying," he said.

Published Wednesday, May 21, 2003

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