CORSHAM Town have promoted Justin Flowers to the role of first team manager following the surprise departure of Jamie Harrison.

Harrison has made his work with Yeovil Town's Academy his priority after being promoted, he and Corsham chairman Chris Perry concluding his time would be too thinly spread between the two.

Flowers has been at the Toolstation League First Division club since he was 16, playing in the U18s, Reserves and first team at Southbank, becoming one of the club most decorated players.

After a successful stint in charge of the first team, he will make the step up and will be assisted by Phil Golding, Graham Learmonth as well as another as-yet unidentified coach.

Physio Stuart Joslin completes the first team management line-up, while Jamie Lloyd Davies will be responsible for coaching and training along with running the reserves. Joe Martin and Matt Ralph will be in charge of the U18s.

Perry, who confirmed the changes to the players on Tuesday evening, said: "I am really pleased Justin has accepted the position. Our vision and principles at Corsham are all about self-sustainment both on and off the pitch, with development and succession, embedded in our thinking.

"Young talent, whether it’s a player or a coach, needs to be given the platform to develop and we are committed to supporting this improvement, that is the only reason I am doing this job.

“I am really excited about the prospect of working with this team of coaches and players, we now have so much raw talent at the club coupled with the right amount of experience, the next few years look very promising”

Referring to Harrison's exit, Perry added: "I am gutted to be losing Jamie. He bought a level of professionalism to the club which we had not seen before.

"But I am sure Justin will be able to maintain these standards and build on the work Jamie and his team have been doing with the squad.

"It has been a pleasure working with Jamie, we shared a vision for the playing side of the club, which involved the continual development of players and coaches, making sure the local players where given the opportunity to play at this level.”

"Jamie has only been at the club for 12 months but has been instrumental in the development of a football pathway between AFC Corsham and Corsham Town FC and the formation of an U18s squad.

"Although results last season where disappointing the club was confident that the with the additions he had made in the close season they would be competing at the top end of the league.

Harrison added: "I have had to make a very difficult decision to step down as manager of Corsham Town.

"I have recently been promoted to assistant Academy manager at Yeovil Town and the role is too demanding to continue.

"I feel it is only fair to both organisations that I make this decision now.

"I have enjoyed my brief spell as manager and I must thank all the players and staff for their efforts; the chairman Chris Perry for his great support throughout my time and the other board members, volunteers and supporters who all contribute to make the club outstanding and one of the best in non-league.

"I am disappointed that I leave before I was able to achieve what I set out to do and get the club back in the Premier Division of the Western League and I believed that I had assembled a squad of players capable of challenging this season.

"However, I am pleased that I have been able to leave the club in a better place and that we have started to lay the foundations at Corsham that will ensure long-term success.

"I wish everyone at Corsham the very best of luck next season and for the years to come”.

Corsham's first team start their pre-season preparations with a home fixture against Highworth Town on Thursday night, followed by Wroughton Town on Saturday, also at home.