PETERFIELD Town will return to the Sydenhams Wessex League this season with Jim Macey at the helm.

The former Whitchurch United and Amesbury Town boss has been appointed successor to John Robson at Love Lane.

The club are licking their wounds after finishing rock-bottom of the Southern One Central with just nine points.

Macey said: “I am very happy to be taking over at Petersfield. We all know last season was not great, but it’s my job now to make sure we can turn things around.

“It’s definitely a bit of a rebuilding job, but we feel that with the players I hope to bring to the club and the players that are happy to stay – plus a very good reserves side with some talented, young players – we can change things for the better.”

Macey will be assisted by Shane Brayson with Tim Farmer as head coach. The duo guided Petersfield’s reserves to a Wyvern league and cup double last term.

Mark Summerhill has left Hampshire Premier League side Liphook United to join the coaching staff.

While it’s all about the future now for Petersfield, chairman Graeme Moir took time to salute out-going boss Robson.

Describing 2016/17 as “the most difficult season I have experienced in my ten years at the club”, Moir praised the experienced former Bashley, AFC Totton and Blackfield & Langley campaigner for sticking to the task.

“Plenty of people would have walked away when the situation wasn’t going their way,” he said. “But John kept going and completing the season, with everything that was going on at the club in the last campaign, was a minor miracle in itself.

“John is one of non-League football’s great characters – he is much-loved by those involved in the game across the south of England.

"For me, personally, it has been a pleasure to work closely with John during his time at Love Lane.”