NICK Maggs is in no doubt that the leap from assistant manager of Pewsey Vale’s U18s side is a big one but the new Ball Road chief is relishing the challenge of leading the first team’s Sydenhams League charge.

Maggs was appointed as the successor to Lewis Taylor, who has stepped back into his role as vice-chairman, and is looking forward to getting through his team’s season opener against Isle of Wight outfit East Cowes Victoria this weekend.

The Vale boss is looking to implement his own playing style and, as a former member of the youth team set-up, is also aiming to continue to bring through youngsters.

“I know that it’s obviously a large step up for me because I was the assistant of the U18s. I’m used to running a side in the Floodlit League on a Thursday night and now I’ll be doing it on the weekends,” said Maggs.

“My background has always been in coaching and that’s what I like doing. I’ve got a way of playing that I want to try and impose on the team, which is getting the ball down and playing the right way.

“The guys seem to have taken to it quite well so far and I’m going to be happy as long as we’re going out there and playing the correct way.

“Hopefully I can help bring through the conveyer belt of youngsters that we have at the club because there are a lot of them that are technically adept enough to play first team football.

“I am looking forward to getting the first game over with, just so I get settled in as quickly as possible.”

Maggs has brought striker Dan Sloan and full-back Luke Enderby back to the club from Devizes Town, with former Cirencester College football academy midfielder Jamie Stones and ex-Forest Green Rovers youth forward Zak Messenger also coming in.

Youngsters Dan Reynolds, Tom Whitham, Ciaron Fennell and Nathan Smith have all also moved up to Vale’s squad from the U18s.

MORE SPORTS NEWS, PICTURES AND REACTION IN THIS THURSDAY’S GAZETTE AND HERALD. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @gazsport