By ADAM LAZZARI FEW people would envy Gary Setchell when he took over as manager of Wisbech Town Football Club one year ago this month. But now he is receiving high praise from the club chairman and a former manager and is seen to be the man to bring the

By ADAM LAZZARI

FEW people would envy Gary Setchell when he took over as manager of Wisbech Town Football Club one year ago this month.

But now he is receiving high praise from the club chairman and a former manager and is seen to be the man to bring the good times back to the Fenmen.

Setchell's first game in charge was a midweek 3-1 Ridgeons Premier Division defeat at Midlenhall Town on a wet, miserable November night.

It took Setchell 11 games to claim his first win, a 3-0 home victory over Wivenhoe.

Setchell, 34, is in his first management job and as Wisbech slid into the relegation zone supporters could be forgiven for thinking his appointment was an unwise gamble but they are now unbeaten in nine games and seventh in the table.

Wisbech chairman Paul Brenchley said: "The club are in an untidy position with us being homeless and I wanted someone who could weather the storm. Gary is certainly doing that and he's brought a great team spirit to the club.

"Things are moving forward with the new ground and I expect to hear before Christmas if we are to receive a grant from the Football Foundation.

"It's good to have a settled team and a settled manager to take us forward into the new ground."

Dick Creasey, Ian Jones and Mel Mattless, Roy McManus and Steve Taylor have all managed Wisbech in recent seasons.

McManus said: "Gary played at a good level with Rushden and Diamonds, Kettering and Sudbury but you never know what sort of manager a player will become.

"Gary organises his team well and brought in experienced players like Kevin Leggett.

"I left the club because of some personal issues but it can only good for Wisbech to have a settled long-term manager.

"I look at Lowestoft as good example for Wisbech to follow. They brought in Micky Chapman, a local man, to run the team and he's been there several years. Now they are top of the Ryman League and they lost 1-0 at Wrexham after a late goal in the FA Cup first round earlier this month. It wasn't long ago that Wisbech and Lowestoft were having some cracking matches against each other."

Setchell said: "I will stay at Wisbech for as long as they'll have me. I'm really enjoying myself. I love the banter with the lads but also when to come down hard on them or put an arm round a shoulder.

"After we lost 4-0 at Needham Market in the FA Cup in August I had frank exchange of views with the lads and they've not played like that since.

"I've gotten rid of six or seven and replaced them with better players. I think, simply, that is the main reason we've improved.