GREAT Wakering Rovers chairman Dave Patient has backed Steve Butterworth to become a successful manager.

Butterworth, 33, was appointed a player-coach earlier this season.

And Patient believes Wakering boss Garry Kimble is the perfect manager for Butterworth to learn from.

Patient said: “Steve Butterworth is now a player-coach.

“I am assistant manager, but I wanted to take a backseat because it’s basically a full-time job.

“I’ve been involved in football in so many different capacities for decades and I thought it was time to step aside.

“Steve has a lot of experience and knows the club well.

“He played in the Conference for Newport County under Dean Holdsworth, but he didn’t want to turn professional.

“Steve could have done a lot more in his career had he turned professional, he knows that, but he chose not to.

“We know he will be a good manager, whether that is with us or elsewhere, one day.

“He wanted to keep playing and we said he could, but he could coach at the same time and take some sessions.

“Garry is the perfect manager for Steve to learn from as Garry is 52, is an experienced manager and has been involved in 296 career games in the Football League.”

Meanwhile, Patient has been impressed with the start Wakering have made to the Isthmian North season.

Kimble took over as manager just weeks before the new season got underway as Iain O’Connell - who led Wakering to the Essex Senior League title last term - resigned.

And, although Kimble was set the target of remaining in the Isthmian North, Wakering find themselves in mid-table.

Patient added: “When Iain went, I didn’t have time to advertise the job because it was so close to the start of the season.

“I was surprised when Iain stepped down because we had enjoyed such a successful season and become the first team to go back up into the Isthmian North at the first attempt since in 2005.

“I wanted Garry to take over as manager, but he would only take the job if I was assistant manager.

“I’ve worked with Garry before at Burnham Ramblers and Witham Town, while he also played for me when I was in charge at Aveley.

“Garry enjoyed such great success at Witham on a small budget. We have a small budget as well, so I wanted him to come to Wakering.

“I think 38 points is the target for safety and Garry has done a brilliant job so far.”