RUDY Funk cannot wait to get started after taking over as manager of Scarborough Athletic.

The club was formed in June 2007 following the liquidation of Scarborough FC, who were relegated from the Football League in 1999 but in 2004, hosted Chelsea in an FA Cup fourth round tie.

Since forming, they have played in the NCEL but have had a poor campaign in the Premier Division and have turned to Funk to bring back the good times.

Funk forged a big reputation during his five-and-a-half year spell in charge of Rainworth MW, winning three promotions.

He took the Wrens from a side struggling at the foot of the Step 7 Central Midlands League into Step 4 football, in the Evo-Stik League Division One South, before leaving the Kirklington Road outfit earlier this season.

He then took over at Shirebrook Town in NCEL Premier One in December and in a few short months, has led them away from trouble to mid-table safety.

Now Scarbrough hope his Midas touch can take them back up the leagues and he cannot wait to get started at Pickering tomorrow, with the club – which regularly pulls in crowds of more than 500 – still with an outside chance of the play-offs.

Funk said: "I am a little bit heartbroken to leave Shirebrook because they have been tremendous to me. They have outstanding people there so it made it a difficult decision.

"But I believe Scarborough are one of the biggest non-league clubs around so to get this opportunity is fantastic. I had to grab it with both hands.

"You look at Scarborough's past and it is a little bit like the FC Halifax story. It is a very big club and I will adhere to the playing side of things and look to get them even higher up the leagues."