Mildenhall Town manager Phil Weavers agrees three-year contract with the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division club

Mildenhall Town have underlined their commitment to player-manager Phil Weavers by handing him a three-year contract.

Weavers, who first joined the club in July 2019 after playing stints with Bury Town and Stowmarket Town, took on his first ever management role at The Riverside Stadium last summer.

And having been impressed with his work both on and off the pitch, the Mildenhall board has moved to secure his services for the long term.

A club statement read: “We’ve liked the job Phil has done so far and not just on the pitch, but also behind the scenes.

“We were keen to show our faith in him and we believe that this contract has done that.

“Phil has made some real quality signings this summer and everyone at the club is looking forward to what we hope will be a successful and entertaining season.”

Speaking about the decision to commit his future to the club, Weavers added: “Obviously it’s a huge honour and one that I jumped at. It’s not often a club in non-league shows faith in a manager but I think it’s really a testament to the club and the direction in which its moving.

“Last season was as much a trial for me as it was for anyone, to see if I could commit the time that it needs alongside my personal life, to see if players would respond to my philosophies and the way I see the game. But on the whole it was a success so the decision for me was a no brainer really.

“I told the club in my initial interview I could guarantee the club will run as well as it ever has off the pitch but I couldn’t guarantee how we would go on it, and so it has panned out. I’ve made no secret that I’m inexperienced and a little bit naive in that regard but I’ve got good people around me to make up for my weaknesses. Brady (Stone, assistant) and now Lloyd (Groves, player-coach) make up for any shortfalls I have on the pitch and off it the support I get from the committee, particularly Jon Sadler (club business manager and board member), who I lean on massively, is unmeasurable.

“You get a feel for things and I think I’ve got the potential to be successful, so this three years gives me a great opportunity to realise that. I’m not naive, however, and I don’t want people to be deceived that this removes any of the pressures that come with football. It’s a results-based business and the pressure for us to do well is still absolutely there, both internally and externally, no more than from me! But as a club we are moving in the right direction and stability is key if we want to keep that going.”

Weavers’ side will be back in pre-season friendly action tonight at home against higher-league Biggleswade FC (7.45pm).