HORNDEAN have a new man at the helm for the upcoming Sydenhams Premier Division campaign.

Former Bognor Regis Town boss Michael Birmingham has taken over as manager of the Five Heads Park outfit, who finished a fine fifth in the Wessex top flight last term.

He replaces Craig Pearce who has relinquished the managerial reins so that he can head up the club’s youth programme.

Pearce will still have a bearing on first-team matters, however, assisting Birmingham as coach, and ex-AFC Portchester director of football Jamie Steeves will also be part of the Deans' new-look backroom staff.