Sammy Donnelly has finally got his dream job after 28 years in the non-league game.

Donnelly has taken over at County League Southwick, but the former Worthing boss won't just be concerned with what happens on the pitch.

Wickers were only able to pull off their audacious coup by promising Donnelly complete control off the field as well.

Donnelly, who officially takes over on Monday, can't wait to get stuck into the task of reviving one of Sussex soccer's fallen giants.

"This club is steeped in tradition and history but it hasn't set the world alight recently. I want to make Southwick a force again," he said.

"I only took it on when I was given a guarantee that I would have complete control. I want to do what Jack Pearce is doing at Bognor and what John Maggs did at Crawley and run the thing from top to bottom.

"I've always wanted my own club and I couldn't have asked for a better opportunity. There are some smashing people already involved, it's local for me and there is terrific potential as well."

Donnelly also has a seat on the board of the limited company and he is bringing his loyal assistant Fred Proto from Worthing to help him on the playing side.

There are plans for major ground improvements at Old Barn Way. Work will start on a new 100-seater stand and changing rooms at the end of the season, but Donnelly's priority will be to make sure Wickers preserve the first division status they won under Geoff Pook last season.

Their last league victory was on September 10 and their winless run stretched to 11 games after Donnelly watched them lose 4-1 at home to leaders Burgess Hill on Tuesday.