The forthcoming season will see a change of leadership for Sidmouth Town as Josh Stunell comes in from Seaton Town to take the managerial reigns at the South West Peninsula Division One East outfit, writes Jordan Cooper.

Having taken his first training session last Saturday and been around the club off the pitch, Stunell spoke of his early impressions.

He said: “I have been hugely impressed with the club behind the scenes, the club are extremely professional and the committee are very hardworking and progressive. We need to mirror that professionalism on the playing front. There seems to be a real buzz about the place.”

Stunell was optimistic about the quality of players he has at his disposal, too. But also acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead.

“We have players at the club that would get into any team in the league,” he said.

“We need to be fearless, disciplined, well organised and respectful of the opposition as there are no easy games.”

His first chance to look at the current group of players available to him will be at rivals Sidbury United next Saturday before home friendlies against Shirehampton, Wellington and Henry’s Cronies all in July.

One player that Sidmouth Town fans can expect to see inaction for the this coming season is the highly rated Cameron Vere who was with Exmouth Town in the South West Peninsula League (SWP League) Premier Division last season and who has had his transfer from the Southern Road side to the Vikings confirmed in the latest batch of transfers released by the SWP League. Stunell worked with Vere when he was the boss of Fresha League Premier Division title challengers Seaton Town.

Heading out of Manstone Lane is Dan Norman who has been registered with SWP League newboys St Martins.

The Vikings will kick-off their league campaign on August 9, at home to Plymstock United, hoping to improve on last season’s 13th place finish.