NEW boss Ollie Cherrett has set his sights on overseeing Christchurch’s return to the top flight of the Sydenhams Wessex League “at the first time of asking”.

Cherrett was unveiled on Saturday as Adie Arnold’s replacement after leaving his post as manager at Dorset Premier League outfit Merley Cobham Sports.

He will be assisted at Hurn Bridge by Chris Hart, while former Cherries midfielder James Rowe, who joined Priory from Merley in the summer, has been appointed first-team coach.

Christchurch, currently 14 points behind leaders Portland United, are five games into their Wessex One campaign having been relegated in April following 28 consecutive seasons in the top flight.

Cherrett, who met Priory chairperson Fiona Clements on Wednesday, told the Daily Echo: “Myself and Chris are really excited with the challenge. It has been a whirlwind week.

"We were contacted on Tuesday, we met Fiona on Wednesday and accepted the job on Thursday. Like Craig David says in his song Seven Days, it’s amazing what happens!

“Fiona’s enthusiasm and drive for the club came across so well and we felt it would be too good an opportunity to turn down.

"The pitch and facilities here are excellent and it was a chance for us to take a step up the ladder in management.

“Christchurch is a big club in the area. I played in the Wessex League and it was always a lovely place to go but you knew it was going to be a tough game every time you played them.

"We have to bring back the belief to the club. The support is unbelievable and there are some great people around the club.

“The longer you stay in Wessex One, the harder it is going to be to get out.

"We wouldn’t have taken the job if we didn’t believe we could get out at the first time of asking. There are no guarantees because there are a lot of good teams in the league and a lot are going for promotion.

“If we can get the belief back on the pitch then, hopefully, with hard work and dedicated, we can take it back to where it belongs. That is our ultimate goal.”

Cherrett and Hart were among the crowd to see a Shaun Brian goal earn Christchurch a 1-0 win over Ringwood on Saturday.

They will take the reins for the first time for the visit of Downton in five days. Andy Cherrett, no relation to Ollie, has taken Priory’s past two games as caretaker.

Ollie Cherrett added: “We can’t wait to get started. They have had two great results and Andy Cherrett has done well. He is getting out when the going is good!

“Andy will step down so we have full control and James Rowe will be our first-team coach.”