LAURIE Craker has become Chesham United's sixth manager in three years after Alan Cork left to take up the assistant manager's position at Nationwide third division Brighton on Monday.

Cork was headhunted by new Brighton boss Micky Adams despite losing 9-1 at Walton in his final game in charge of Chesham last Saturday.

Craker, Cork's assistant, now takes charge at Chesham as chairman David Pembroke seeks stability.

Cork only lasted six months at The Meadow after taking over from Graham Roberts who defected mid-term to join Slough. Roberts' exit followed the departures of Paul O'Reilly, Andy Thomas and Steve Emmanuel through Chesham's revolving manager's door.

Cork, who had just signed a new two-year contract at the Meadow, with a get-out clause if a Football League club came in for him, said: "I feel guilty leaving Chesham halfway through the job. I felt we were turning the corner there but this was an opportunity I couldn't turn down."

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