HALSTEAD Town manager Mark Benterman is delighted that he'll have a Humbugs club "legend" alongside him in the dug out this year.

Following the departure of Luke Nash as Benterman's assistant manager at the end of last season, he has brought in former Halstead striker Mark Farthing to be his number two and is delighted to have him on board.

Nash came in as assistant boss following Jim Holder's decision to step down from club duties last December and he has left to become joint manager at Halstead's Thurlow Nunn League division one rivals Braintree Town Reserves.

But landing someone with Farthing's experience has been a boost for Benterman and he said the reaction from fans has been universally positive.

He said: "Luke Nash did a fantastic job for us last year after he came in and he had a massive influence on us in our progression, but he got the offer to be a number one at Braintree and he felt it was a role he wanted to pursue.

"But that's brought in Mark Farthing, who is a Halstead legend and that's gone down very well indeed with the club's fans.

"I didn't realise just how well respected he is by people and I think fans are genuinely very excited to have him back at the club.

"We spoke on the phone after Luke confirmed he'd be leaving and Mark agreed straight away.

"He just wants to be at a club that he loves and that he wants to be successful and he's now passing on the experience and knowledge that he has to the boys.

"He watched a number of our games last year so he already knows the boys and he knew half the squad anyway as he'd worked with them before at other clubs.

"So we have had a good start and he has come in and hit the ground running.

"I've already seen his influence as he has given me great advice on dealing with players and told me to stick to my guns, so I think it's going to be a great partnership between us.

"He was with West Bergholt before and the success that they've seen in the Border League in recent years shows that he is certainly a winner and he wants to pass it on with us now."

Farthing's arrival isn't the only change to Halstead's management team this summer as Benterman has also recruited Lee Hurkett to be first-team coach.

Hurkett will continue his playing role, but the Humbugs manager said his coaching abilities would also be well utilised this season.

"I'm so pleased that Lee has come on board as a coach," he added.

"He'll be playing, but his coaching credentials will be invaluable to us as part of the team.

"He will help out with drills on match days and during the week at training sessions.

"You can't have too many quality coaches around you so I'm delighted to have him on board as well."