Kirkby chairman Alan Cooke said: “It took some persuading to get Brett to drop a division into the Premier, but with the set up that Andy Cruddace, the secretary, and I have put together over the last two years at the Summit Centre he was eventually talked into it.

Marshall added: “Leaving Southwell after three years was a hard decision. I’d made a lot of friends and enjoyed every minute of my time there.

“My objectives there were to make them into one of the top sides in the Central Midlands and I feel I fulfilled my obligations.

“However, with the non-League structure set to change, I needed a new challenge, and the fact that Southwell have a ground that would not be accepted for League progression, helped with a difficult decision.

“At the end of the season, having heard Kirkby were looking to enter the Central Midlands I was invited to the old Sutton Town Ground on Lowmoor Road, and it was a real eye opener to find that the modernisation of all the facilities would potentially enable this ambitious club to climb through the pyramid.

“The committee in place are all football people and with the support of the chairman to set up the off-field side of the club, my decision was made on the understanding that the set up both on and off the field had to be as professional as we could get it.

“We will have a fully qualified physio at all match days - he will be holding a weekly clinic at the ground - and a fully qualified first team coach to take a pre-season of the highest quality.

“Lee Dawson will be my assistant. Lee is a well respected local footballer who has played for me for the past five seasons both at Retford and Southwell.”

He added: “As for facilities at the Summit, we have a fully maintained pitch of the highest quality, an outdoor and indoor five-a side court and a fully functional gym inside the ultra-modern clubhouse.

“My main objective is to have Kirkby Town playing at Step 5 of the Pyramid within five years, and I feel this is a realistic objective with the structure of the club set up as it is on a solid foundation.”

Pre season training starts on Monday 30th June, then every Monday and Wednesday at 7pm and Saturdays at 1.30pm at the Summit Centre in Kirkby.

Pre season games are being arranged with opposition of the highest quality - the first match is on 16th July against a Mansfield Town select XI - with a view to monitor pre season progression ready for the start of the season.

Anyone of suitable standard who wants to come to pre-season and be part of this exciting new set up can contact Brett on 07990 987007.

Kirkby will also continue to have a team in the Chad Mansfield Sunday League Premier Division, with current players Martin Sheldon and Leon Shinfield taking the reins.

Junior teams will include U10s in the Kickstart League and U14s in both the Mansfield and Rowsley Leagues.