Fakenham Town’s new chairman Andrew Jarvis has issued an early rally cry after being sworn into position just over a week ago.

Since his appointment last Tuesday evening, Jarvis has been getting into the swing of his new high-profile position at Clipbush Park, having previously coached and managed at youth and ladies levels at the club for around 10 years.

“I see myself as bringing everyone together, a figurehead for the club driving forward opinions and decisions made by the committee. The club has become a little disjointed, and we need to pull everyone together,” said Jarvis.

“The club requested I became chairman, I had a huge amount of support from within the club especially from the committee – I’m from Fakenham, I live and work in Fakenham and needless to say I’ve got Fakenham’s best interests at heart.”

Quick to pay tribute to his predecessor Bill Clayton, who has since returned to his club president role, he added: “I must say a huge thank you to Bill for everything he’s done for the club over the years – and if I can do half as good a job I’ll be more than happy.”

Also deserving of praise in the new man’s eyes was the club’s army of volunteers.

“I think to survive we have to rely massively on our volunteers, who are extremely dedicated and give up no end of time for the club,” Jarvis said.

Talking of the club’s youth set-up, he added: “A club like Fakenham Town relies heavily on youth and a sign of real success is to see a player join the ‘Tiny Kickers’ at five years old, and eventually progress to the first team.

“The club is a bit of a victim of its own success with so many youth teams, and on top of the senior teams it’s hard to keep everyone happy when it comes to training and matches – especially with the weather as it has been of late.”

Also getting to grips with a new position within the club is vice-chairman Matt Hagon, one of the more recent additions to the committee at Clipbush Park having replied to a Twitter advert for fresh blood and ideas.

On Hagon, Jarvis said: “He brings different skills to the table, and comes with a fresh look on things.”

Talking of new club ambassador Nigel Worthington, Jarvis said: “Nigel was the first person I spoke to when I was approached to take on the role of chairman. We had a good long chat and agreed we could do something.”

The new chairman’s reign begun in earnest, with a 2-1 defeat on the road last Friday for the first team at Swaffham Town (goalscorer Ashley Jarvis). They now sit 19th in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division. Next up is third-placed Felixstowe & Walton United who visit Clipbush Park on Saturday (3pm).

The Ghosts’ second string went down heavily to Redgate Rangers, the final score 5-2. This Saturday, they travel to Buxton in the Anglian Combination Third Division.