Eaton Socon boss Mark Spavins has crossed a footballing divide to take over as Eynesbury Rovers Reserves manager.

Spavins has spent the past three seasons in the Socon hotseat – leading them to back-to-back Hunts Intermediate Cup crowns - but he has grown frustrated at the club’s failure to progress from the Cambs League Premier Division.

They have seen their attempts to earn promotion scuppered due to their Mick George Stadium pitch not being long enough to meet FA requirements.

However, the switch to Eynesbury means he can fulfil his dream of managing at a higher level – although that won’t happen until the 2019/20 season at the earliest.

Spavins explained: “The last three seasons have been great for me and for Eaton Socon, but there are simply too many obstacles to overcome in terms of gaining promotion.

“The chance to go to Eynesbury arose in recent days and it is something I couldn’t turn down.

“We’ll play at Step 7 next season in Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands League, but the plan is to then apply for promotion to Step 6 for 2019/20.

“And we’ll do that as a new team called Eynesbury FC which will still come under the Rovers banner but have its own chairman and committee.

“It will benefit Rovers as a club and also give more opportunities to local players who want to test themselves at a higher level.”

Spavins will be followed to Hall Road by Neil Morris, who will act as his assistant. Morris enjoyed a lengthy playing career for Rovers.

Eynesbury chairman Matt Plumb said: “Mark lives round the corner from the club and is a regular at midweek games. He’s someone I know well after playing for him at Great Paxton several years ago and we mutually agreed on this move.

“The new team will act as our reserves next season in the first instance. They will bring plenty of new players and new supporters to Hall Road.

“Plans are in place in place for the team to go their own way, under their own name, from the following season, but they will remain based at Eynesbury.

“It’s potentially an exciting time for football in the area.”

Rovers’ previous reserve side folded during last season when playing in the United Counties League Reserve Division.

Eynesbury are also launching a new Under 18 team next season.

* Former Eynesbury defender and reserve boss Dan Woodhead has been appointed as manager of United Counties League Division One side Huntingdon Town.