FORMER AFC Hornchurch boss John Lawrence is the man to step into the Tilbury hotseat.

Lawrence, who was controversially axed at Hornchurch after guiding them into the Ryman Division One North with a record-breaking Essex Senior league season, has been sidelined from a management job for a year, but today Tilbury confirmed his appointment to succeed Tony Cross, who left the Dockers last week after two years in charge.

52-year-old Lawrence will take his coaching team of Paul Marler, Danny Gill and Alan Moulder to Chadfields where he is looking forward to taking on the challenge of reviving the fortunes of the Ryman One North club.

"I do like a challenge, and that's certainly what is on offer at Tilbury where there will be a relatively low budget. However, I'm confident that we can get a good side together there and I am relishing the opportunity to manage at this level.

"When I took over at Hornchurch the club had a big budget and a lot was expected, now I'm at the other end of the scale but I know what I am facing and I am confident that we can build good things at the club," he said.

Lawrence, who spent several years involved in the youth set-up at Hornchurch, took over the reins when the Urchins crashed down the non-league pyramid from the Conference South after hitting financial problems.

The club was reborn as AFC Hornchurch and Lawrence guided them to a championship winning season in the Essex Senior League before being ousted in the close season and replaced by former Thurrock boss Colin McBride.

He spent last season doing scouting work for Weymouth, which has kept his hand in on the non-league season and he says he is now itching to get back into management.

That motivation is what singled him out, says Tilbury secretary Mark Southgate.

"We had a number of very good candidates for the job," he said. "We interviewed from a short-list and were very impressed by what they all had to say but John stood out because of his determination to succeed and his realistic approach to what Tilbury can offer.

"I think John is motivated because he would like to show Hornchurch what they missed out on. He wasn't given the chance to build on what he achieved at Hornchurch and I think it rankles a bit.

"However, aside from that he has good credentials, a good and proven coaching team and a very good name in the game. Everyone I've spoken to about the appointment says we have the right man so we are all now looking forward to the new season.

"I would like to thank the other applicants for the job, particularly those who were interviewed. It is a credit to Tilbury that we got such a high calibre of applicants and I would like to wish all those who didn't succeed this time for this job out best wishes. There were certainly applicants who will go on and become very good, successful managers."

Tilbury's pre-season is now taking shape and the club have announced four friendlies.

They will go to Cornard United on Saturday, July 14, entertain East Thurrock United on Thursday, July 19, visit Leiston on Saturday, July 28 and play host to Tonbridge Angels on Tuesday, August 7.

The club also rounded off last season's business on Saturday night with their presentation evening.

Dave Walker was the reserves' player of the year while first team player of the year was George Alder. Clubman of the year was goalkeeper Dean Neil and supporters' player of the year Paul King.