A SETTLED squad and 110 per cent commitment will form the foundations of Brendon King’s regime at the Bob Lucas Stadium, according to new player-assistant Matt Groves.

The ex-Dorchester Town striker, who agreed to become King’s number two on Monday, believes those facets are vital if the club is to progress in the Southern Premier Division next season.

Alex Browne was initially the favourite to assist King but decided not to take his interest any further following an interview with the Terras’ hierarchy, leaving the door open for Groves, who is excited about the challenge.

The 31 year-old told Echosport: “I never applied for the manager’s job or anything like that but I did say to George Rolls about a month ago that if he brings someone in and wants someone to help out in some capacity I would be willing to do it, so when Brendon King called me up on Monday about becoming his number two I jumped at the chance.

“Brendon has done an excellent job over the past year or so and the only thing he cares about is doing the right thing for the club.

“I played under him for one game just before Martyn Rogers took over and we won that, and he is a real man-motivator who wears his heart on his sleeve.

“He demands 110 per cent commitment from players and wants them playing for the right to wear the shirt, which is an outlook I share and if I can help him transmit that out on to the pitch then that can only be a good thing.

“I am hoping to play as many games as possible as I still see myself as a player.

“However, I am also here to help Brendon as much as possible, and I have a lot of local contacts that could be of use to us having been around the local non-League scene for quite a while now.”

Despite having only just been unveiled, the new management duo have already been talking to players and Groves is hopeful many of the squad that finished last season will sign on again.

He added: “Getting Warren Byerley signed up is vital and we will also be speaking with some of the other lads from last season too.

“It is virtually impossible at this stage of the summer to go out and get 11 new players in, so hopefully most of them will get back on board.

“Last season we sometimes only had a handful of players turning up to training and that is far from ideal.

“We want the whole squad training together at least once a week and that is why we’ll be looking to get people in that can commit to coming down regularly.

“That way we can build a strong team spirit and give the fans a squad of 15-16 players they can identify with rather than constant chopping and changing, which has tended to be the trend in recent years.”

Groves and King will both be on hand to answer questions at tonight’s rearranged fans’ forum at the club (7.30pm), which will be hosted by Mark Coleman, who has been given the title of vice-chairman.

A statement from the board reads: “WFC is pleased to invite Mark Coleman on to the board with immediate effect in his new role as vice-chairman.

“We have been very impressed with what Mark has been doing at the club recently, and the relevant shares that will enable him to take his seat on the board will be transferred over to him very soon.”

Echosport also understands that Tom Manley and Byerley could put pen-to-paper prior to the forum.

King is also tracking a marquee signing but is refusing to identify the mystery man.

He said: “All I can say at the moment, is if we get him it would be a major coup.”

* Npower League Two outfit Gillingham will visit the Bob Lucas Stadium for a pre-season friendly on Saturday, July 16