NEW Basildon United manager Marc Harrison says he wants to help talented local players reach their potential after he was unveiled last week.

The former Basildon Town boss replaces Aaron Bloxham, after he stepped down last month.

And Basildon-based Harrison says he is looking forward to helping the Bees develop, while admitting leaving Town was a difficult decision.

“(Chairman) Lee (Connor) wants to put a structure in place where we target this area as a focal point for players to come and play,” he said.

“We want the good young players to come and grow here. We don’t want to be chucking money around as I see that as a pointless exercise.

“Lee wanted someone who could coach the team. At Basildon Town we had an average age in the last two games of 23 and there is no reason we can’t do that here and be successful.

“It wasn’t an easy decision to leave Basildon Town,” he added. “They have a very good structure for that level and the personnel and committee is excellent.

“They are real football people and are friends of mine and I wish them all the best.”

Harrison has won league titles in his last three seasons, in the Olympian first division last year, and the Mid-Essex Football League Premier Division with Pro Essex in the two previous seasons.

He will be assisted at Basildon by Liam Wallace, who supported him at his two previous clubs, and is now targeting a top six finish in the Essex Senior League.

“We had a great season last time out,” he said. “We competed well to win the league and also won the Senior League Cup last week.

“The last three seasons I have competed at the top and won. I am not saying I will win the Essex Senior League but if we finish in the top six that would be an achievement.

“It will be a busy summer,” added Harrison.

“I would love to see if any of the existing players want to give it a go but it will be a different environment.

“We will have to wait and see.”