Chairman John Martin moved swiftly following the resignation of Paul Joynes to gain the sought-after Stimson

Stimson (pictured) has a wealth of Isthmian League experience, in particular taking the sadly now defunct Thurrock to the Bostik Premier, where the ambitious Abbots want to be.

Chairman John Martin told the club`s website: "I would like to place on record my thanks to Paul Joynes for his services to the club after taking over a difficult position from Martin Hayes. We had some good times and some tough times and Paul will always be welcome at the club, should he wish to visit in the future and share a beer or two!

"We moved quickly as a club following Paul´s resignation, knowing that Mark´s achievements with Thurrock and their demise would put him in the shop window.

"Waltham Abbey as a club is moving forward rapidly off the pitch and the club as a whole want to start seeing success come back to the town´s senior football team.

"Mark, we believe is the right man to take us to the next level and starts with a clean slate next season with a new challenge for him."

Stimson confirmed that seven of his former Thurrock players will be joining him at The Abbey - Reece Morgan, George Winn, James Goode, Joe Christou, Michael Pindy, Charlie Stimson, and Ronnie Winn.