HEYBRIDGE Swifts boss Jody Brown will lead the club into the 2016/17 season.

The former Tiptree United manager has agreed to stay on after having positive talks with the club's board.

"It was always my intention to try and build something at Heybridge Swifts, rather than work as hard as we did to overcome the obstacles of the past six months - only to move on at the first sign of interest from higher in the pyramid," said Brown, in a statement on the Swifts website.

"I've done that before.

"The important thing for me was that the club wanted to continue its evolution on and off the field, not overnight, but that we all shared the same long-term views.

"We've proven to be an excellent environment for young players to develop and excel, even while in a relegation battle, and that's something that is fundamental to my coaching philosophy.

"The way we finished the season - the obvious improvement in the culture and performances within the squad - excited everyone and that would be very hard to walk away from.

"Of course there will be more tough times. There always are in football.

"Often, just when you think you've cracked it, the game reminds you there's still plenty to learn.

"I learned so much through the challenging times this season and I'm sure the players and the club has too.

"I'm certain that in the longer term, we will make huge strides toward our objectives.

"If we get it right, all work together, and build on the experiences of the past six months, we could succeed in meeting our goals on and off the field sooner than expected."

Swifts chairman Craig Riches said he was delighted by the news.

“I’m pleased that Jody is very keen to build on the young squad that showed its qualities through a very tough 2015/16 season," he said.

"Having achieved our main objective of staying in the league, we had the added bonus of reaching two cup finals, winning one and narrowly losing the other against much higher-league opposition.

"That proved to me and the committee that the building blocks were taking shape for what we all at the club hope will be a far more fruitful campaign - not just for the first team but for the club as a whole.”