Peacehaven have appointed Brian Suckling as their new chairman.

Suckling spent 15 years in a similar role at Crawley Down Gatwick, helping the Anvils through the greatest period in their history as they climbed from County League division two to Ryman south.

During that period, the club undertook major ground improvements at the Haven.

Helping Peacehaven meet the ground grading work necessary to keep them in Ryman premier by March 31 will be top of the agenda for Suckling in his new role.

He replaces Andrew Melbourne, who took over as chairman in the summer but has now had to step down for a combination of business and family reasons.

Melbourne’s decision comes in the same week that manager Shaun Saunders stood aside for family reasons.

However, Suckling has made it clear that both Saunders and Melbourne will remain involved with the club.

Suckling said: “Both Andrew and Shaun will still be very much involved in this club and I see my role as pulling all those efforts and goodwill together and focusing in on the challenges ahead.

“It will be my ambition to make sure the facilities are up to a level to secure our position at this level of football. We will do everything we can to make that happen.

“This is the first time the club has competed at this level and we are not going to let it go without a big battle.”

For a full interview with Brian Suckling see The Argus today