DAVE Patient has backed Steve Butterworth to lead Great Wakering Rovers to Isthmian North safety.

Wakering find themselves 11 points clear of Romford, who prop up the standings, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to eighth-placed AFC Sudbury.

And Patient believes Wakering, who are enjoying their first campaign back in the Isthmian North after claiming the Essex Senior League title last term, are in capable hands with Butterworth in charge on an interim basis.

The Wakering chairman said: “We have become a yoyo club and I am hoping that we can stop that.

“We would like to retain our Isthmian North status and then the club will undergo a thorough process in the summer before appointing the club’s new permanent manager.

“We are in a semi-relegation battle at the moment and I want nothing more than for us to remain in this division for next season.

“Steve was appointed interim player-manager until the end of the season after Garry Kimble left and Simon Glover is player-coach.

“I’m confident they can keep us in the division.

“We were poor in the defeat to Witham Town last week, but we were depleted and went down to 10 men after Jake Gordon was sent off.

“But that is no excuse and although we know it will be a difficult game at Sudbury, we will be going there looking to bounce back.”

Kimble mutually parted ways with Wakering last month.

And although Patient felt a change in manager was needed, he admitted it will difficult to see his long-term friend depart.

“Garry has been a great friend of mine for 20 years so it made it even more difficult for me when he left,” added Patient.

“I didn’t even advertise the job when Iain O’Connell resigned in the summer because I really wanted him to be in charge, so it was with a heavy heart that Garry left.

“The fact we had only taken seven points from 30 on offer wasn’t the only reason as to why I thought a change needed to be made.

“He kept us out of the bottom two, which was his initial remit, but I felt someone else needed to come in.

“Although I am good friends with Garry, I have to make decisions in the best interests of Great Wakering Rovers Football Club and I took no pleasure in him leaving.

“We wish him all the best in the future and would like to place on record our thanks for his time in charge.”