He left at the end of the 2006-07 season to continue playing at division-higher Wick, but has now returned to Wickers after an injury-hit campaign.

Wickers will also now have a Reserves side next season, and have entered into the FA Cup and FA Vase.

Shepherd will be assisted by his father, John, as he was two seasons ago when they were last in charge. Stuart Kelly-Noakes, a UEFA licenced coach, will be Wickers' coach, and Dermot O'Neill will be the Reserves team manager.

Jason Rutherford, who kept Wickers in senior football with nine wins from 17 games since taking over in January, had quit as boss at the end of the season because the club had planned to scrap the Reserves and youth team. Assistant-manager Lloyd Saunders, youth team boss Roger Feest, and physio Tony Dineen also left with him.

Shepherd said: "One of the things I definitely wanted if I was coming back was a Reserves team.

"And entering the FA Cup, for the first time in about eight or nine years, and the FA Vase shows a bit more ambition from the club.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't afford a youth team as well, but I'm really looking forward to the challenge.

"I had some good offers to play and manage elsewhere, but I turned them down in favour of Southwick, because they're mine and my dad's team."

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