The joint-managers stepped down after leading the Robins to 13th place on their return to the Hellenic Premier Division and Carpenter has been tasked with moving the club forward as first-team manager.

The new Robins boss led Bracknell Reserves to success in the President’s Division Two Challenge Cup last season as well as a second-placed finish. He will have Keith Pennicott-Bowen alongside him as assistant manager in the Larges Lane dugout.

And Carpenter is thrilled to make the step up, although he admits it did come as a bit of a shock to him.

“I’m delighted,” he told the News. “I’ve been around reserve team football for three years and first-team football is always something I’ve wanted to do.

“It’s a great opportunity and we’ve got some good foundations to build on due to the work of Steve [Nebbett] and Danny [Oliphant] which can’t be overlooked.

“It did surprise me when I was told they had stepped down. It was mentioned around January time that they were thinking about it, but it came as a shock when it was confirmed.” Lee Simpson will make the step up from Bracknell Reserves assistant manager to lead the Reserves next season.