Stanway Rovers manager Steve Ball will be stepping back out of semi-retirement next season to don his football boots again.

Ball, who guided Rovers to within two goals of promotion from division one of the Jewson League last season, is keen to play an even bigger role as captain Robert Bate has decided to move up the ladder with Ryman League premier division club Heybridge Swifts.

"I played only three or four times last season," said former Arsenal and Colchester United midfielder Ball.

"But at 31 I still have a lot of football left in me and I intend to play on a regular basis again when the new season gets under way in a few weeks' time.

"I don't know whether I will be taking over Robert's role as captain, but I will be taking all the penalties, free-kicks, goalkicks and throw-ins," he joked.

Of Bate's switch to Heybridge, he added: "He's a super player and a great lad. He goes there with all our best wishes."

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