NEW Aveley manager Terry Spillane said he was never going to turn down the chance to manage the club, having turned down the post once before.

Spillane, a well-respected figure in local non-league circles, replaced Justin Gardner as manager after the former Millers boss handed in his resignation last week, citing ‘personal reasons'.

On hearing the news, the former Maldon & Tiptree and Redbridge boss contacted the club and, 48 hours later, was named Gardner’s successor.

And he said it was a hugely exciting opportunity for him, in what was a whirlwind period.

“I have hardly had time to think,” said Spillane. “Justin gave his resignation in, I found on on the non-league grapevine and contacted the club. I had an interview on Friday and got the job on Saturday morning.

“This is right time to take the post. It is a strange position for a manager to take over in (with Aveley fourth in the standings at the time of print). They have a good squad of young players who can achieve things here.

“I chose to take a different route when I was offered the job before but I have had a seed of doubt whether I did the right thing - after I left Redbridge in 2012.

“But I had said yes to Maldon and I am a man of my word and I had a great time there and don’t regret it for a second.”

Joining Spillane in the Aveley dug-out will be Tony Faulkner, Darren George and Gaz Dauti.

And Spillane said he had turned down several posts since leaving Thamesmead Town at the end of last season, But he feels joining the Millers, who will be moving to their new ground ‘Parkside’ at the start of next season.

“I have been offered two or three positions at this level and higher but it wasn’t for me,” he said. “I was offered a Director of Football role but I wouldn’t like that done to me or anyone else.

“This was the first pre-season I missed for 40 years as player or manager and I have been able to catch my son (Tommy) play at Great Wakering. It has been quite educational.

“I am getting a chance to plant a seed here now. It is an exciting time and the stadium was the cherry on the cake. Who wouldn’t want this job?

“I have my eye on a few players,” he added. “But we have also had many seven day approaches in for our boys, “I have said to them all that I want them to give me a chance as I want to show them what I am about as well as them showing me what they can do.”

Spillane took his first game in charge on Tuesday night at Waltham Abbey (visit thurrockgazette.co.uk/sport to find out what happened) but will step into the home dug-out at Mill Field for the first time against Brightlingsea Regent on Saturday.

And he said a good start at home is important for any manager.

“The first home game is always important and I really don’t know how it will go but we will give it our best and I hope that’s enough,” he said. “I don’t care if its 1-0 or 10-9.

“Win your home games and draw and nick some away.

“The club want to stay in the division first and foremost and there is no pressure on me to win things.

“But we will put pressure on ourselves if we win matches. The club are quite focused on the long-term over the next few years.

“We want to go higher over next two or three years.

“But if we keep this team here, next season the aims will change.”