HARWICH and Parkeston chairman Tony Armstrong has described management pair Kieron Shelley and Mike Wallace as a “revelation” – and praised the town’s football public for buying into their Royal Oak project.

Boss Shelley and assistant Wallace took over in the summer and have overseen an encouraging start to the Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

The Shrimpers are eighth in division one south, joint-second highest scorers and still unbeaten at home as they prepare for Saturday’s visit of Wormley Rovers.

Armstrong believes his management team have been at the heart of the club’s revival and has been “overwhelmed” by their contribution so far.

“Kieron and Mike have been a revelation since they came on board,” he said.

“They’ve assembled a really good side and generated a massively positive team spirit.

“They’re doing a very good job and they’re professional in everything they do.

“We had a difficult decision to make in the close season (replacing former manager Glenn Eldridge) but I’ve been so impressed with Kieron and Mike.

“I’m overwhelmed by what the two of them have achieved.

“They’re putting together a team that is satisfying people’s desire to watch, support and sponsor the club and long may that continue.

“I’m sure they’d agree we’ve still got a way to go.

“There are areas that need improving but those areas have already been identified and they’re working hard to put them right.

“The players are buying into it and I feel really enthusiastic.

“Everything is brilliant and we couldn’t ask for more, in terms of the support from the public and sponsorship. We can hardly keep up with the demand for new advertising hoarding and now people are ringing us wanting to sponsor matches.”

Harwich had no game last weekend but return to action against Wormley on Saturday.

They defeated Benfleet 2-1 in their last outing at the Oak.

Overall, the Shrimpers have won three and drawn two at home, pulling in crowds of 173, 281, 165, 102 and 142.

That gives them an impressive average of 173 and they will be hoping for another big turnout on Saturday.

“It’s a local team, on the whole, and local people are loving it,” added Armstrong.

“They’re coming back and watching in droves.

“The atmosphere at matches is phenomenal and you can’t help getting caught up in it.

“The whole town has bought into us moving back up the football pyramid.

“While the team are turning in some heart-concerning performances (referring to the high number of goals conceded), they’re certainly providing maximum entertainment.

“This league was always going to be an unknown quantity but we have a side that can certainly compete.

“That’s above the expectations we had at the start, when our prime objective was just to establish ourselves at the new level, and if we finish in the top six, it would get us back in next year’s FA Cup.

“That would be a remarkable achievement by our management duo.”

Armstrong also praised reserve-team manager Gavin Hewitt.

“Our reserves have a totally new management structure and have found it hard moving from youth football to more physical adult football,” he said.

“However, Gavin has installed that same spirit in his team and they’re improving all the time.

“He’s doing a brilliant job for the club too.”