WAYNE Thorne has revealed his pride at being appointed manager of Melksham Town, and says his age is not a barrier to success.

The 27-year-old has been given his new role just two days after Kelvin Highmore was sacked.

Thorne said: "The club has put a lot of faith in me and to be offered the chance to manage Melksham is a massive honour.

"I feel any manager in our league would love to manage Melksham. It's a club that can attract players and hopefully under my guidance can win more things.

"People might say it's a gamble but my motto is, If you're good enough, you're old enough'.

"I know the chairman Mick Perrin and if he had any doubts he wouldn't have given it to me."

First on Thorne's agenda is to meet his squad tomorrow, so he can identify the players who want to stay at The Conigre.

He will also discuss his ideas for the team and answer any questions the players may have.

Thorne said: "We've agreed to have a meeting to clear the air so we can move forward.

"It's all about if they want to stay or if they want to leave and to say the way I want to do things.

"Some may have to leave. I'm the manager and I've got to be ruthless in my decisions.

"I'll pick the lads who I feel want to play for Melksham, and if they don't they can move on.

"I want to keep the nucleus of the squad together. At the end of the season I felt we were going in the direction and I think the squad is about 70 or 75 per cent there.

"New faces will come in because that's what I feel it needs. I'll talk to the lads I need to talk to about joining the club."

Thorne has big ambitions for his team, starting with a major improvement on last season's 11th-placed finish in the Toolstation League Premier Division.

Thorne said: "A couple of years ago we had a great season and finished fifth. That's the kind of area I'm looking towards.

"This year we were mid-table and the league form was very up and down.

"My standards are very high. I need to get some consistency and I'm looking to get the club back in the top five or six."

Thorne admitted he was shocked to hear of Highmore's dismissal, but is keen to move on quickly.

Thorne said: "I was surprised but I spoke to Mick and I know Mick's reasons. I'm very happy they chose me and I know the way the club wants to go.

"People will probably say Kelv's unlucky but that's football, you've got to put a line under it."

Thorne moved to Melksham from Chippenham Town two seasons ago.

He was player-coach at The Conigre in his first season and was appointed assistant manager last summer, alongside his playing duties.

Prior to joining Melksham he spent four years at Hardenhuish Park and has also played for Clevedon Town and Gloucester City.

He was a YTS trainee at Swindon Town in the early days of his career.

5:41am Wednesday 21st May 2008

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