NEW Beaminster supremo Dean Newman has insisted silverware will be the target for the Rainbows next season.

Newman, who turns 30 tomorrow, has taken over as boss of the Perry Street League side following the departure of Matt Hughes to Ilminster Town.

And he has made it quite clear that the team should be aiming to better last season’s third-place finish in the league.

“Trying to win the league has got to be the big focus for me,” said Newman, pictured, who has also played for the club. “I believe we’ve always had the team to do it.

“I don’t really know why but we haven’t been able to go the distance, so the league is our priority next season.

“That’s not to say we will be putting out weakened teams in the other competitions.”

Having been officially unveiled as the successor to Hughes at the Beaminster AGM, Newman cannot wait to get his squad back for pre-season training.

He added: “I want Beaminster to be a club people want to play for.

“I don’t want to be struggling to put a side out on the pitch, which I’ve seen happen in the past.

“I would like to build on the players we have got at the moment but it’s about getting the commitment for the whole season.

“I’m always open to people coming in and trying out for the squad, and my first job is to find a new goalkeeper as our current keeper is going travelling for however many months.”

Newman’s only previous managerial experience was coaching a Sunday League team in London, but he doesn’t feel that, or his age, should affect how he does at the Rainbows.