Fleet Spurs President Paul Hampshire is optimistic that his club will at last move forward with the appointment as Neil Baker as manager.

Baker the former Farnborough Town, Aldershot Town and Bracknell Town player, was appointed last week and takes over a side that has just endured a torrid season in Wessex League Division One.

Spurs finished bottom of the table, 12 points adrift of Andover New Street and won just three times all season, with a goal difference of -87.

But Spurs will not be relegated and their facilities are among the best in the league, to boot. Now Hampshire hopes that tb football will follow suit.

“We had already put a strong committee in place to take us forward and now that we have Nell and his team I am truly optimistic that, with a strong support structure, we can at last see Spurs leap forward,” said Hampshire.

Baker is excited by the challenge and the caliber of players he believes he can’ attract to the club.

“I have had a long career in non-league football and have built up a wealth of contacts” Baker said, “I have also played’ under some of the best managers at non-league level.

“I want to try and make this club as professional as it can be, while making it a place you enjoy your football. After eight years at Bracknell I felt I needed a change. and this is a perfect time to take on my first management role, I am a very ambitious person and would not join the club if I did not believe I can take the club to the next level.

“That starts by going out all guns blazing to finish as high up the Wessex League and, hopefully, if the club can get the infrastructure right, aim for promotion.”

Baker won the Hampshire FA Senior Cup with The Shots in 2000, in total making 17 appearances, plus six as a substitute, between September 1999 and May 2000.

The off-field developments will continue at a pace and Hampshire is also determined to ensure that fewer young players leave the club when they progress to senior level.

“Development at Kennells Lane will continue and, with a very healthy youth section, we hope that we will see young talent stay with the club rather, than seek football elsewhere.”

Hampshire paid tribute to Baker’s predecessors manager Jeff Bond and coach Bob Barnes.

“They showed’ tremendous dedication and commitment to keep the club going in step 6 football, with very limited resources, while all available finance was pumped into the facilities,” Hampshire said. “When resigning at the end of last season Jeff said that we needed new blood in the club and simply had to attract new players.”

Bond will stay involved with Spurs. Experienced Dave Bennett has agreed to run the reserves side, assisted by Paul Liney.

Together with Baker, the whole Spurs management system has a new look. “One of our frustrations over the years has been seeing players develop through our youth set up and at the age of 16, leave to go to other senior clubs in the area” said Hampshire

The hope is that the new management set-up with stem that flow.

“Provided we can get things right on the pitch, the club will have come through a critical time much stronger and ready to progress in senior football,” said Hampshire. “Training will commence on July 2 at our Southwood centre and we are expecting a lot of new faces.”