Tooth goes back to the future

New Sutton Coldfield Town manager Neil Tooth has moved quickly to bring former first-team coach Ross Thorpe back to Coles Lane as his assistant manager.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division South club's board of directors handed Tooth the job of replacing former manager Chris Keogh following his surprise resignation last Saturday after their 1-0 home defeat to Gresley Rovers in the FA Trophy's Preliminary Round.

Tooth, Keogh's assistant manager, agreed to step up from his former role on Monday and his first major decision saw Thorpe, pictured, coming back on board at the Royals.

Tooth said: "Ross was always going to be my first choice as I trust him and he is a fantastic coach. Things didn't work out last season as Ross would have wanted and he decided to leave but luckily for me he was available to come back straight away. Hopefully he will now be able to put his stamp on things and help me move the team forward."

Tooth is also confident of a smooth transition from the Keogh era after meeting with his squad this week. "I met with the lads on Monday and we had a very positive meeting," he said. "I told them that they would all be given a fair chance to prove to us that they should be playing week in week out.

"They all know me and what I'm about so the transition should be very easy for them. I hope its easy for me too and I see no reason why it shouldn't be. Probably my hardest task will be letting Ross and others get on with the stuff I enjoyed doing as a number two, but I'm also very aware that those two will want to put their own stamp on the roles they have.

"I know my appointment may have raised a few eyebrows with some people inside and outside of the club but I hope I'll be able to prove them wrong. I think I deserve my chance as I believe I have done things the right way and worked my way up from youth football to senior level.

"I also know some will be questioning my temperament as I have been known to have a few run-ins with officials in the past. All I can say on that is I'm a work in progress and I have been working hard on my touchline behaviour but I will never lose my passion I just need to channel it in a more positive way."

Looking forward to his first game in charge against Newcastle Town on Saturday, the new Royals manager added: "It was going to be difficult whoever it was as the league this year is very close. We have had some good games against Newcastle over the past two seasons and they have started well. I hope the players will give me a good start and a winning start and it would be nice to have a few more supporters though the gates as we start out."