Dave Agnew is the new chairman of Worthing Football Club in succession to the late Beau Reynolds.

Agnew was handed the role at a board meeting yesterday when Alan Pook was made vice-chairman.

The pair are hoping to lead the club into a bright new era following relegation from Ryman premier this season.

But no decision has been made yet on whether manager Danny Bloor will continue next season.

Agnew, 42, is relishing the challenge ahead.

He joined Worthing in 2004 as commercial manager and subsequently managed the A team. Last season in his role as financial director he stabilised the club after a difficult period, making tough decisions which he will not be afraid to make again.

Agnew, a running partner of Steve Ovett who ran the 800m for England himself in 1983, said: "Eighteen months ago we were top of the league, flying along, with good financial support and good normal support from the people of Worthing. That has tailed off.

"One of the reasons is Alan Pook suffered two very personal losses. As a result of that a lot of finance went out of the club at the same time as the Gladwish deal collapsed."

Pook, who was manager of the club until last summer and then returned briefly to assist Bloor in November in his role as director of football, was hit hard by the death of his friend and business partner Steve Danahar and, more recently, his father Roy.

Those losses meant he was not able to give as much time to the club as he wanted to, which was a hammer blow to Worthing, although that situation has now changed.

Agnew said: "We were very close to pushing for Conference south and now we are a club in Ryman division one. It is a sad state of affairs but a state brought about by unforeseen circumstances.

"Eighteen months ago we were attracting crowds of 600 and that has dwindled to less than 300.

"Prior to us getting involved with the club it was heading into a lot of trouble. We managed to turn things around and then bumped into unforeseen circumstances that derailed us for 12 months.

"There has to be a period of consolidation where we can all get behind each other and say let's try to build something. We are in a strong position with the young players coming through."

Bloor's position as manager will come under review although the difficult circumstances he had to work under will be taken into account.

Agnew said: "It was my job this year to stabilise the finances of the club and I made his job pretty much impossible. He had me on his case all the time, making him cut the budget every week and work on a shoestring.

"A club that goes through a lot of losses and gets relegated will question whether the manager should stay in place but no decision has been made."