MATT Carmichael is ready to refocus and sink his teeth into a fresh challenge after taking the managerial reins at Little Oakley.

The former Harwich and Parkeston boss was officially unveiled on Wednesday morning - around 24 hours after announcing he was leaving Brantham Athletic.

He felt his time with the Imps had reached a "natural conclusion" and is now ready to embrace a "completely new learning curve" at the Memorial Ground.

He will be joined in the new management set-up by James Good, Daryl Eagle and Paul Lambert.

"Oakley have got everything in place to grow and become a bigger club," said Carmichael.

"They've done everything right and huge credit has to go to Sean Tynan and his previous management team (Paul Sadler and Gary Kioussis).

"They did an unbelievable job and there's plenty to work with.

"It's going to be a case of building on what's already here, rather than making wholesale changes, and hopefully the players will buy into that.

"There's a very clear pathway in terms of how they want to evolve and in the next couple of years, we should be looking to get out of this league."

Oakley play in Thurlow Nunn League division one south - a step lower than premier division Brantham - and Carmichael's first game in charge will be at home to White Ensign on Saturday.

However, despite dropping a level, he does not think his switch shows any lack of ambition.

"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have taken it," he said.

"Sometimes in life you go with your instincts and I certainly don't see it as a lack of ambition.

"Just the opposite, because I'm taking on a new challenge and it's going to be a completely different type of learning curve.

"The task at hand is one I couldn't turn down as the club's locality and ambition are a perfect match."

Carmichael, also a former Harwich and Parkeston boss, stepped down as Brantham manager earlier this week, just a few days after joint-boss Michael Brothers departed to concentrate on his playing career, subsequently joining Maldon and Tiptree.

"Mike's decision got me thinking and gave me an opportunity to reflect," he added.

"Brantham are a truly great club and one I'll always have great affection for but sometimes in life and in football, things just reach a natural conclusion.

"I can justify my football, in terms of the time away from my family, if I'm enjoying it.

"But it felt like the end of a chapter and sometimes you just have to trust your instincts.

"Some managers carry on for years and years, constantly reinventing themselves, but I reached the conclusion it was better for me to step down than carry on.

"If a hobby starts to feel like a job then it's no longer a hobby and a new challenge like this will get me focused again."

Oakley, who had an excellent 1-1 draw at title-chasing Hashtag United on Saturday, thanks to a goal from Brandon Rusby, bowed out of the First Division Knockout Cup on Tuesday night, losing 4-2 at home to Holland FC.

Jay Eggerichs scored both their goals.