Manager Howard Goddard and managing director Rob Read are the new owners of Andover FC.

The move, confirmed this week, should see long-term stability at the club, which had seemed to be going out of business at the end of last season with the departure of its colourful former owner-manager Ken Cunningham Brown.

But the new pairing, each of whom now owns 50 per cent of the club's shares, have high hopes for the future. Delighted new part-owner Goddard told the Advertiser: "Mike Bullock, the former chairman, felt he couldn't continue at the club due to his business and family commitments, and stepped down.

"Rob and I decided to make a commitment to our futures and the club's future.

"Even though it's going to be 50-50, I'm going to be looking after the footballing side as manager and first team coach. And being part owner will make things much easier for me as regards wages, contracts and so on."

For an extended interview with Andover's new owners, see Friday's Advertiser.