New Harlow Town chairman Chris Ottaway believes the club is a “sleeping giant” and is excited to push the club forward during his time in the role.

Ottaway took over from former chairman Tom Cunningham, who still retains his place as the director of football, last week after a spell as chairman of Essex Olympian League Division Two side Epping Town.

In an interview on the club’s YouTube channel, Ottaway said: “If you look at Epping and the dreams I had there, we had nothing. We didn’t have any money in the bank and we started on a blank sheet of paper. Now, all of a sudden, I’m here. It’s not even another level, it’s a sleeping giant this club.

“The size of the town, the facilities, we must be the envy of the Isthmian League. It’s about now working with the team, we’ve got lots of resources, lots of knowledge. I’m just flattered and honoured to be part of it and I’ll do all I can to help the club move forward.

“I’ve had a great meeting tonight with manager and assistant manager, Mark and Dave, and I’ve really been knocked over by their enthusiasm and the positivity that is floating around the place. I’m so glad to be part of it and it’s going to be great.”

Despite the recent success Epping have had, particularly with their double promotion last season due to winning the league so convincingly, this is no doubt a step up for Ottaway, and he is excited about what he has at his disposal having made the step up to the Isthmian League South Central Division.

He said: “We’ve got resources, we’ve got facilities, we’ve got an enthusiastic team, I’m looking forward to having the opposite of what I’ve had for the last two years. I’ve actually got people to help and to do things.

“All I want to do at the moment is sit back and take stock, just to see where we’re at. It’s a matter of hurrying slowly, is the term I’ve used a lot.”