JAMES Meadows has been appointed as the new first-team manager at Wivenhoe Town.

He replaces Chris Hudson, who left at the end of last season.

Meadows has more than ten years of experience in football management, having worked with Brightlingsea Regent for eight of them where he developed successful under-18 and under-21 teams.

He was most recently at Great Bentley, where he managed the side to successive titles and promotions and last season he helped the club finish as unbeaten first division champions in the Essex and Suffolk Border League.

"I'm relishing the opportunity to lead Wivenhoe forward in the new and restructured Thurlow Nunn League," said Meadows.

"I can’t wait to start, meet the players and make preparations for pre-season, where I hope also to meet as many of the supporters as possible.”

Dragons chairman Mo Osman added: “I'm delighted to welcome James to Wivenhoe Town.

"He's an ambitious coach with a good record of developing young players and building competitive teams that play attractive football.

"I’m sure he'll receive a warm welcome at the GMP Plant Hire Stadium.”

Wivenhoe were relegated from the Thurlow Nunn League premier division last season and will be part of next season's new step six South division.