New Rochester United manager Andy Pierce is proud and excited to be in charge ahead of the new SCEFL Division One season and is looking forward to a successful campaign.

The former Greenways boss left the Greens at the end of the season to replace Michael Betts who resigned. Speaking of his departure from Greenways, Pierce mentioned that he had the start of the new season prepared but the temptation of Rochester United was too good to turn down.

Pierce said: “This is the only club to make me move, to be fair. With the history of me playing here and the family love coming down. I had the phone call on a Friday, the Saturday accepting the job and Sunday holding the shirt saying welcome to Rochester”.  

While in charge of Greenways he masterminded an impressive sixth place finish after being one of the favourites of relegation at the start of the season.

Before accepting the job his aim was to get Greenways promoted, now his focus is getting The Spartans promoted after the season’s heartbreak in the Play Off Final.

While during the first couple of sessions of pre-season training he has spoken to his players regarding season aims.

He has said winning the league is the aim, but is keeping himself and his squad level headed.

Pierce said: “Our aim this season is to win the league, but that’s all the way in April. So that’s a long way away so don’t fear the end goal you’ve got to embrace that”. 

Speaking ahead to the start of the season, the Rochester boss is fully expecting a tough league and has said there will be a “respectful arrogance” towards the rest of the league.

Which means “respect the teams you play against, but have the arrogance to beat anyone”.

Rochester start their pre-season fixtures on the 4th July away at Cuxton 91 which is being played at Watling Street (Anchorians).