ALEX Salmon feels he has returned home after being appointed as Basildon United’s new manager.

Salmon left the top job at Burnham Ramblers to replace interim player-manager Kris Newby in the hotseat on Sunday.

And, having represented the Bees during his playing career, Salmon is pleased to be back in familiar surroundings.

“I am really pleased to be the new manager of Basildon United,” said Salmon.

“It shows that I have been recognised for the good work I have done for Burnham Ramblers on and off the pitch.

“When I sat down with the vice-chairman Lee Connor and Paul Stringer, who is the under-18s manager, I had a good chat with them.

“It became clear that they want to adopt the same philosophy and style as I have had at Burnham and I liked what they said they wanted to do.

“Having played for the club, I see it as a bit of a homecoming.

“I have lived in Basildon for 10 years and my management style might not have always suited the club but the club is going in a different direction now.

“They wanted a manager that understands the club and I do.”

Salmon has become the eighth different man to take charge of Basildon since the start of last season.

And the 30-year-old stresses he will be in the Bees’ dugout for a prolonged period of time.

“I have got to bring stability to the club,” added Salmon.

“I’m not a short-term fix - I am a long-term managerial appointment.

“I want to bind the club together from the youth section through to the senior squad.

“It’s important that the club is at the centre of the community, but I know that I still need to win football matches.”

After seeing the club’s main sponsor end their backing of Basildon, the Bees have seen a host of players leave since the weekend.

Ernest Okoh and Ayo Odukoya, who scored 20 goals between them in all competitions, are among those to have confirmed their departures.

As a result, Salmon is working around the clock to ensure he has a strong squad for this weekend’s derby with Canvey Island.

Although Salmon - who also counts Southend Manor among his former clubs during his playing days - wants to provide a pathway for the Bees’ exciting youngsters to reach the first team, he admits it is vital to have senior players at his disposal.

“I want to give youth a chance, but it’s important to have the right senior players around boys that want to progress in football,” admitted Salmon.

“Basildon are at that stage where they can bind the youth section and senior squad together and I wouldn’t have come here to simply plug the gaps.

“It’s all about getting the right players into the team and getting results on the pitch.”