NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL: St Neots Town player-coach swaps the Southern League for the Football League after securing Lincoln City post

David Bridges (right) celebrates one of his two St Neots Town goals in last season's Hunts Senior Cup final. Picture: CLAIRE HOWES (Image: Archant)

Player-coach David Bridges has joined League Two club Lincoln City as their head of coaching.

And while Clements openly admits it is a big blow to Saints to lose an influential figure, he believes it again demonstrates the club adopt the right footballing approach.

“David will be a big loss to the club in terms of his experience and the way he interacts with players,” said Clements. “But it’s also a huge positive to see another person from St Neots Town progress in the game.

“If our players and staff are being picked up by clubs at higher levels it shows that we are doing many things right and it is something we can be very proud about.

“It is very rare in football to find someone who is universally liked in the way David is. There are lots of good people involved in the game, but few of them have the knowledge and enthusiasm that he does to make those around him better.

“We’ve known of Lincoln’s interest in him for a few days and we wish him all very the best there. Our loss is most definitely their gain.

“The challenge now for our players is to ensure they achieve the things that David has convinced them they are capable of doing.”

Clements has no immediate plans to replace Bridges, who also enjoyed a pro career as a player. He will continue to work with assistant manager Matt Haniver and also recently added Ben Yeomans – a former Godmanchester Rovers striker – to his coaching staff.

Bridges said: “I’ve loved my time at St Neots Town and give massive thanks to all the coaching, playing and matchday staff for the last year.

“But the opportunity at Lincoln City is one I have to take and I’m buzzing to get started in the role at an extremely exciting time for the club.”