Ian Clarke Dereham Town's new acting chairman David Ovenden has a hectic start to his time at the helm - and believes the club is in a strong position on and off the field.

Ian Clarke

Dereham Town's new acting chairman David Ovenden has a hectic start to his time at the helm - and believes the club is in a strong position on and off the field.

Mr Ovenden, who has been on the committee for about four years, was unanimously backed to take up the role by fellow members on Monday after Simon Barnes decided to stand down.

“I hope to build on the excellent work that Simon has done in the last two and a half years,” said Mr Ovenden, who has been in Dereham since 1984 and is well known for a range of roles including chairman of Dereham Area Partnership, churchwarden at St Nicholas Church, trustee of the Meeting Point and vice chairman of the Local Strategic Partnership.

He took up the job with Dereham in fourth place in the Ridgeons League Premier Division and the highest placed Norfolk team and just 24 hours before the home game with Wroxham.

Dereham entertain Kirkley and Pakefield on Saturday, which will be a dress rehearsal for next month's FA Vase match between the two sides.

The Magpies are also looking forward to a local derby against Fakenham next Tuesday at Aldiss Park in the League Cup.

Mr Ovenden said: “The club is in a strong position both on the field and on the corporate side. Matty Henman (Dereham manager) is bringing together a good team and to be in fourth position in the league is very good.”

Vice chairman Mike Baldry had been due to take on the role of chairman but has decided against is for business reasons.

Mr Ovenden has a lot of experience in football including instigating East Anglian Services Football during his time in the RAF and also as an Anglian Combination referee, including officiating Dereham games in the past.

Mr Barnes said: “I think David will do a wonderful job. It was a unanimous decision of the committee and everyone is fully behind him. He has the football club at heart and has great enthusiasm.

“Matty is doing a fantastic job and it would just be nice to get some more supporters along to Aldiss Park.”