NEW Tilbury manager George Christou has spoken of the challenge ahead after he and Jack Toghli were announced as the new bosses at Chadfields following the pending departure of Marc Harrison and Liam Wallace.

Christou said: "It came as a bit of a shock to see the job available, to be honest. I remember when I was younger, I would come down to watch Tilbury, and I'd probably say Tilbury is where my love for non-league started.

"But I'm really excited for what's ahead, and I can't wait to get started."

"Jack and I have been been managing together for over 10 years now, and we've built a really strong understanding. 

"He's got so many strengths that I don't have, and I've got strengths that he doesn't have, and I think we complement each other very well. 

"We've also done the hard yards to get to where we are, coaching youth football, reserves, we've been assistant managers, and we've managed at lower levels and the same level as Tilbury, and it's so important to have a strong character next to you."

Looking at the squad he will inherit, Christou said: "I see a team that nearly reached the play-offs last season, and the core of that squad is still here. Marc and Liam brought in more younger talent this season, which is exciting. I see a lot of players who excite me. 

"Maybe the group hasn't quite gelled yet, but we've already had many seven-day approaches for players, which shows how talented the group is."

And casting an eye to the future, he added: "It sounds cliché, but we're going to take every game as it comes, starting with Hadley on 25 October. Then following that, we've got nine matches in November, that's a lot of time on the pitch and not a lot of time on the training ground. So it's going to be important to focus on each game at a time."

He also said there are likely to be some new arrivals to boost the squad, saying: "The group needs reinforcing, especially with the number of games coming up next month. 

"It's going to be really tough and will take a lot out of everyone, so we will need some reinforcement. When you look at it, that's a quarter of your season in one month, so it's going to be really important that we hit the ground running."