Sutton United boss Paul Doswell says now is the right time for former reserve team boss James Bracken to cut his teeth as a first team manager.

Bracken was named as the new boss of Corinthian Casuals in Ryman Division One South, after the previous incumbent Matt Howard moved to Carshalton Athletic.

The popular manager has had a success-filled eight years at the Lane, culminating last season in winning the Suburban League title, the League Cup and the Champions’ Cup.

Doswell said: “James is a fantastic coach and when the chance came up to move into first team management, we both knew it was the right move.

“Being a first team boss is a world away from managing at reserve team level, but this is the right time for James to cut his teeth at the top level.”

He added: “James will be a fantastic first-team manager, and this is the next step for him.”

Bracken said: “I’m delighted to be taking charge at Corinthian Casuals, a club with unrivaled history.

“This has come after eight years of success at Sutton United and I would like to thank them for their great support.

“I look forward to taking this special club forward both on and off the pitch in what I hope will be an exciting new chapter in the club’s history.”

Meanwhile, Doswell has released Ricky Wellard, pictured, and he is yet to make a decision on the future of Dan Wishart.

Doswell said: “It was a tough call with Ricky, who originally wanted to keep his options open when we spoke to him in April, but his season has been injury hit.

“But we also wanted to bring in younger players in those wide positions as we are likely to have quite an experienced squad in other places.”