MARK Summerhill has been confirmed as Petersfield Town’s first team manager.

The club’s committee voted him in on the position last week and for Summerhill, it is a role he has largely been doing since the departure of previous manager Jim Macey earlier in the season.

With the need to try to stabilise the football side of the club at the time being more important than any quick announcements on the manager’s role, everyone’s focus following Macey’s departure was put in the direction of trying to turn the first team’s fortunes around.

However, the committee felt now was the right time to confirm Summerhill officially in the post so he could continue working on trying to turn the current season around but also hit the ground running to plan for the next campaign once the season is over.

Summerhill said: “I am delighted to be named as manager. My focus for the short term will be working day and night to try to achieve staying up in the Premier Division.

“Long term my plans will be dependent on what division we are in next season.

“My main aim will be to get the best of the local talent playing and committing to the club. I want to see the stadium packed with local people watching the best of the local talent perform at the highest level possible.

“I would like to thank the committee for the trust they have showed in me in what has been a difficult season.”