Tunbridge Wells have appointed a new manager ahead of the start of their Southern Counties East Premier Division season this weekend.

Steve Ives has rejoined the Culverden club, just four days after it was revealed Luke Carpenter had stood down as Wells’ boss.

Tunbridge Wells kick-off their league campaign at home to Hollands & Blair on Saturday.

In a statement on Monday evening, they said: “Tunbridge Wells Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Steve Ives as the new first-team manager.”

He had been Carpenter’s assistant last season. Ives left Wells for a third stint as manager of AFC Uckfield Town, of the Southern Combination Premier Division, earlier in the summer, but Ives is now back in Kent football once more.

Explaining his decision to depart, Carpenter had written on social media: “I have been discussing this with the board for a while and feel the club is heading in a direction that requires a different manager.”

Wells finished eighth in the league last term with 54 points.