NEWTON Abbot Spurs have announced the successor to Marc Revell as 1st XI manager and he brings with him lofty ambitions.

“They came second [this season], I thought they could have done it this year so it is just about tweaking it, my mindset is I want to win the league” were the words of Connor Marshall when speaking to the Mid-Devon Advertiser, as he picks up the baton from Revell.

He added, “But if worst comes to worst then if I could get Spurs top four and a trophy, I would be ecstatic with that.”

Like most, Marshall played football as a youngster and he got into coaching at a young age as well, the Community Trust at Plymouth Argyle giving him his first opportunity at 13. He was then integrated into their development centre before heading for Plymouth Marjon University, graduating with a degree in Football Coaching and Development and a UEFA B License too.

Connor followed this up with work with Torquay United U16s before moving away from Plymouth, heading to Salford City, which offered him a very different perspective.

“I learned so much about football, especially being up north, it’s such a different ball game up there compared to down here, different technicalities, more tactical in different ways, which you wouldn’t necessarily think about.

“I learned a lot about myself throughout the whole journey and about what type of manager and coach I want to be, I really learned a lot from all the different people at Salford.”

Returning to present day and whilst the new season is still a while away yet, Marshall hasn’t hung about when it comes to getting stuck in.

“I’ve spoken to every single player, I’ve been to a few of the games as I want to try and create a bit of a pathway, with the 3rds the 2nds and us the 1st team.”

Marshall continued, “Even when I wasn’t appointed I still went and watched [their games] because I wanted to show that I’m keen for it and to see what every player is about, writing down notes and getting things done and dusted on each player so that when I spoke to them, they’d know exactly what direction they’ll go in, what I can do to help them, what the goal is and so on.”

“That community feel” was perhaps the biggest draw when it came to the new manager taking on control at The Rec, speaking very highly of “the warm welcome” that he received.

“When I first walked through the door, everyone was so lovely and open to me and that was before I was even announced.”

The Liverpool supporter is keen to help develop younger players with his coaching nous just as much as he wants to deliver results, an ethos he feels the club shares. “I just knew that Newton Spurs had that same feeling, especially after I’d spoken to [the chairman] Ross [Bellotti] and the committee, it was all very positive.”

On the man he is succeeding, Marshall labelled Revell “As a top manager and a top bloke”, also emphasizing just how keen he is to carry on his predecessor’s impressive work.

Meanwhile, he describes himself as “confident, creative and determined” as he looks to bring silverware to The Rec once more.