13/3/09

New Lewes caretaker manager Steve Ibbitson has spoken about his new role for the club "I love."

The Under 18 joint-manager has been with the club for six years and was happy to answer Chairman Terry Parris' call earlier this week and step in until the end of the season.

Ibbitson said, “ I just want to help them out. I have made it clear I am not the man to take the club forward longer term. I love working with the under-18s and that is what I want to do but I will keep the ship going to give them the breathing space they need."

Lewes take on Kidderminster Harriers at the Dripping Pan tomorrow, and the new man is likely to receive a warm welcome from the Lewes supporters.

However, Ibbitson is under no illusions about the task ahead. “It will be a difficult job. We won’t go out on Saturday and beat Kidderminster 6-0. If we do I might be out on the town on Saturday night! People need to give us some breathing space."

“I am not going to come in and say we will start to win games regularly. We are in a difficult league with the same players we have had all season. The most important thing is to settle things down and look to get some points.”

Speaking about his players, Ibbitson told The Argus  “I have a good, professional set of lads and I am sure they were loyal to Kevin but I expect them to continue to support the club. I have no indications that any of them will leave.

"The main target is steadying the ship. I was a very committed player and my view is we go out to get something from every game.

With the difficult financial situation the club is in, Ibbitson had a final word for the Lewes supporters before his tenure kicks off tomorrow afternoon.

“Hopefully they will be patient," he said,  "and we can give the club that bit of time they need to sort things out off the field.”