JODY Bevan is relishing the job that lies ahead of him after being named part of the new management team at Fairford Town.

The former Gloucester City and Weston-super-Mare striker will be joined in the role by ex-Cinderford Town boss Chris Smith at Cinder Lane following the departure of Gareth Davies.

And the 38-year-old, who got his first taste of management last season as caretaker manager at Southern League Cirencester Town, wants to re-establish Fairford in the Premier Division.

“They had a great season last year, and Chris and myself are lucky enough to go into a club on the up,” Bevan said.

“We have got a few ideas of what we want to do and I think Chris and I will be a good team as we have got similar ideas for the club.”

Following his brief stint as caretaker manager at Cirencester, Bevan admits that he needed to step away from the game in order find his zest once more.

“I had 20 years in the Southern League, the majority as a player and then jumping into a coaching role,” he said.

“When I did it on my own I found myself burnt out, I needed to step away because I was disappointed with how it all ended.

“But the break was exactly what I needed. I have rediscovered my love for it again by playing some local football.

“That time in charge at Cirencester did show me that as some stage I wanted to be a manager – I just had to wait for the right opportunity.”

Bevan, who made more than 600 Southern League appearances scoring more than 250 goals, said he first met with the club last week and he was impressed with their vision for the future.

And now one of his and Smith’s first task is speaking to last season’s Division One West squad.

“This has only just happened so we haven’t spoken to any of the players yet,” said Bevan.

“Once we have do that then we can look at what we need going forward.”