Ex-Canary named as Mildenhall boss

Former Norwich defender Simon Charlton has taken the managerial plunge at mid-table Ridgeons Premier outfit Mildenhall. The 37-year-old will officially be unveiled ahead of Town's Easter Monday game at Ely after working with Norwich's academy set-up since retiring from the game.

Former Norwich defender Simon Charlton has taken the managerial plunge at mid-table Ridgeons Premier outfit Mildenhall.

The 37-year-old will officially be unveiled ahead of Town's Easter Monday game at Ely after working with Norwich's academy set-up since retiring from the game.

Charlton made 50 appearances during a two-year Carrow Road spell, but the Huddersfield-born defender is prepared to work his way up the non league ranks.

“You look around and it's difficult to get your first break in the professional game unless your best mate is the manager somewhere,” he said.

“I started right at the bottom as a player and worked my way up and I was watching a documentary about Brian Clough the other day and he said something similar when he first started out as a manager.

“I felt I was coming to the end of my time at Norwich's academy and wanted to have a go at senior football. This opportunity came about so I decided to give it a shot. I met the chairman, chief executive and secretary last week and they are ambitious as well as. They want to take the club forward and I believe I can help.”

Charlton - who begins his Uefa 'A' coaching course this summer - worked under a host of high-profile managers in his 18-year career.

“I counted up something like 11 managers,” he said. “I had a great one in Sam Allardyce and two real good ones in Graeme Souness and Alan Ball, along with some who were not quite so good - but you learn from them all. I'll try to take the good bits and hopefully leave the bad.

“I don't know any of the lads yet but we agreed I would come in as soon as possible which gives me the chance to have a look before the end of this season. I've seen them play two or three times and I told the chairman I was pleasantly surprised.”

Town supremo Martin Tuck believes Charlton's arrival is a coup for his club.

“Simon's appointment is fantastic news,” he said. “The knowledge that he has gained during his professional playing career is invaluable.

“In addition, Simon's many football-related qualifications, along with his extensive experience in coaching the top young players at Oldham and Norwich, makes him the ideal appointment for us.

“With our football academy now in place for the coming season and our new ground development planned to be ready in two seasons, it is a very exciting time for Mildenhall Town FC and I see Simon's input into both of these projects as being extremely beneficial.”