One-club man Tom admits it was a wrench to leave Thorney for Peterborough North End Sports

The 33 year-old had been with the village club for virtually his entire adult life and helped steer them through a tough. nomadic existence which included a second place finish in the Peterborough Premier Division two seasons ago.

But Thorney’s struggles had begun to wear Florence down and the opportunity to join a rival top-flight club with their own ground and a decent infrastructure was too good to ignore.

Thorney have since folded, but club officials attach no blame for that decision to Florence.

“It was a tough call to leave Thorney,” Florence said. “They were my first club as a junior and apart from one year when I had a slight disagreement with a manager I’ve spent my entire adult life with them either as a player or a manager.

“I had some great times there and given what had gone on with losing the ground in Thorney we over-achieved.

“But I am ambitious and it was clear Thorney’s problems were not getting any easier to solve. It’s tough running one team and not having a real home ground. I couldn’t really have done any more.

“If I hadn’t left this season it would have happened next season, although it’s very sad to see Thorney have now pulled out of the league.

“When I saw the Sports job had become available I decided I had to go for it.

“I had conversations with club officials Tommy Cooper and Jimmy Dean and they went well so I made my mind up quickly to come.

“It’s a top club with a strong youth setup and I can’t wait to get going.

“Some players from Thorney will probably come over, but I also want to dip into the talent Sports already have in their under 18s side.”

Florence replaces Ryan Wood who has returned to Premier Division rivals Netherton to play and to be assistant manager to Jon Harrison.