Former Brantham, Braintree Bury Town, Harwich and East Bergholt manager Tony Hall will take charge of the Blue Imps on Saturday, following Micahel Brothers' sudden departure.

Hall, who led Brantham Athletic to three promotions over a 10-year period, will be supported by first team coach Kieron Lawler, reserve team manager Craig Clarke and senior players including Jack Sibbons, for their trip to Thurlow Nunn Premier Division leaders Wroxham.

Jarrow born Hall, who came south to join Ipswich Town's youth set up under Bobby Robson, had spells at a number of Essex and Suffolk non-league clubs, as a player and manager, before taking charge of Brantham.

He has stayed at the club as part of the club and leisure centre's strategic management since departing as first team manger in 2013.

Brantham chairman Peter Crowhurst said: "Tony is a person of the very highest ethical and moral standards and naturally has the comprehensive support and respect of the entire club. He is a natural candidate to manage transition."

Crowhurst expressed his sadness at Brother's departure but insisted they parted on good terms.

"No one could have worked harder or be more determined," said Crowhurst. Football has been unkind to the club in terms of the significant number of Injuries to key players over the first four months of the season. This over a COVID enforced packed schedule of games through the same period.

"Over the past five years as well as winning the League Cup and keeping us in the top half of the league, Michael and his team has provided great cup adventures such as Eastbourne at home in the FA Cup.

"He has massively helped build the off field club through his charisma and passion for the club.

"It is with a heavy heart we address his departure. It leaves us all determined to finish the season on a high to honour the plans that he put in place. We seek to retain and build on the strong squad and back room staff he established.

"Our league position is challenging, and we now have to work extremely hard to secure as many points as we can from the remaining 13 games starting away at high flying Wroxham.

"Fortune favours the brave..."