STANWAY Rovers assistant manager Karl Duguid says he and new first-team boss Kem Izzet will do all they can to realise the potential of the Thurlow Nunn League club.

Izzet was appointed on Thursday afternoon, replacing his former Colchester United team-mate who will now be number two at The Hawthorns.

Duguid is excited by the development and believes the club can become a force on the non-league scene.

Stanway could be a big club and people always talk about the potential here, like we’re a sleeping giant in terms of non-league football,” said the U’s legend.

“But now is the time to realise that potential and it’s down to the management, staff and players to make sure we make the club the best it can be.

“It’s a blank canvas – the end of the season – and a project we can both get our teeth into.

“Kem and I were both hard-working players and had to put the graft in to achieve what we did in our careers.

“Now we’ll expect the same from the boys here.

"It’s the start of a new chapter for us all.”

Michael Pulford has been appointed director of football at The Hawthorns.

And to cap a busy few days for he club, experienced physiotherapist Stuart Bevis is also joining, having worked with Izzet at Needham Market.

Duguid is looking forward to working with his old team-mate again, having established a great friendship together during their time with the U's.

“Kem’s a great guy and someone I know very well, as a friend and former team-mate," he said.

“We’ve both got the same philosophy and ideas on how we want things to be done."