Wivenhoe Town have been moving quickly to prepare for their new campaign in the Ridgeons League premier division and manager and chief executive Richard Carter has also settled his future with the club.

Carter, whose contract was due to expire at the end of next season, has put pen to paper in a new deal which will tie him to the Dragons until 2011.

He has also been working hard to secure a new manager for the club's reserve side and is confident that an announcement will be made imminently.

He has been busy in the close-season transfer market with three new signings already confirmed and talks with two other targets currently underway.

Town have signed keeper Ed Wootten from Harwich and Parkeston, 19-year-old left-back Grant Monoghan from Woodbridge and bolstered the midfield with the capture of Aaron Churchyard, 19, also from Woodbridge.

Carter said: "From a personal point of view I am delighted to have signed a new deal and it removes any uncertainty and allows me to concentrate on our plans for the coming season.

"We are all working hard to build a strong squad for the 2008/09 campaign and the arrival of three new faces is significant progress.

"Ed Wootten is a real boost as he has proved himself to be a fine keeper at this level and he and Phil Smith will battle for the jersey.

"Both Grant and Aaron are exciting players who have massive potential. In Grant's case a four-figure fee was quoted in February so I am delighted to pick him up on a free while we are negotiating the compensation figure for Aaron as he is under 24 and was offered new terms by Woodbridge.

"The aim has to be to finalise a squad of players as early as possible so we can have a settled side for the opening match of next season."

Wivenhoe have also announced the signing of striker Nathan Szyszlyuk from Needham Market.

He scored nine league goals in the premier division last season.

He added: "Management at any level means you have to make some tough decisions and we have decided to release Daniel Flack by mutual consent. I can only thank him for his efforts for the club and wish him well for the future."

On the issue of a reserve team boss Carter said the appointment was close.

"I hope to be in a position to make the announcement in the next 48 hours," he said. "It is a key role within the club because the reserves are where we can identify and develop the first team players of the future.

"Currently we have 18 players contracted to the club and without a doubt in the coming season; injury and suspension will mean we need to use the entire playing staff at our disposal which includes the reserves."