New AFC Sudbury boss sees no need to rush in new talent

If it is not broken, it does not need fixing — that is new AFC Sudbury boss Jamie Godbold’s initial thoughts on the job he has inherited at King’s Marsh.

With the Yellows’ 1-0 win at Cheshunt under caretaker Danny Laws on Saturday moving them into Ryman One North’s top five on goal difference, the Kirkley and Pakefield manager for the past 18 months says the play-offs are ‘achievable’ this season.

Marrying up the club’s high standing in non-League football, due to its history and top-class facilities, with a higher league is the number one aim for the man who used to frustrate the Shed End crowd by scoring goals against them for Lowestoft Town.

“I am very excited and just cannot wait to get going,” he said. “I was 35 on Saturday and it was quite some birthday present!”

News of Godbold’s appointment, along with his assistant at lower-league Kirkley Andy Reynolds — who will remain as Suffolk Under-18s coach and take their game on Saturday — reportedly leaked out via Kirkley’s chairman on Godbold’s emotional last day in charge of the club he took to fourth in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division this season. It came after he led them to 12th in his first season at the helm.

But Godbold, who holds a UEFA A Licence which he uses in his day job as a regional FA coach, does not see a lack of experience in the dugout holding him back, with ex-Needham Market manager Danny Laws — instrumental in the appointment — taking up a new role as director of football and youth development with a mentoring capacity.

“Football is about managing people and if you get that right, realistically, it does not matter how experienced you are,” said the midfielder, who was on the books at Stoke City for six years, working under Lou Macari, Chris Kamara and Brian Little.

But Godbold, who will look to bed in his passing philosophy over time, as well as placing great importance on bringing through youth players into the first team, has said there will be no need to rush into bring new players in.

“I will certainly not be coming in and bringing in four, five, six or seven into a squad that is already in the play-offs, he said. “I certainly think the play-offs are achievable, but a lot depends on how quickly the players can react to a new manager.

Godbold’s philosophy: Page 70