Hayden says he has experience to turn Racing Club around

However, Michael Hayden believes you would be hard-pressed to find someone of a similar age with anything approaching his experience and sees no reason to let his lack of years limit his ambitions.

A product of their youth team, Hayden was captain of Racing Club’s first string at 18 before going on to Evesham where he played a part in the club’s most successful period, helping them to the FA Cup first round proper in 2008.

Dogged by tendonitis in his knees, he hung up his boots after a spell at Stratford Town and coaching assignments at Town and Wolves Academy followed before he was handed the assistant manager’s role at Southam United alongside Lee Knibbs.

But less than a season in, he has opted to return to where it all started, taking on the “tremendous opportunity” of replacing Tony Clarke at Townsend Meadow.

“The whole reason for going back to Racing Club is because it is a club trying to turn itself around,” said Hayden.

“My ambition is to develop the club as a whole from the youth team and reserves through to the first team, developing players from within.

“I’m living, breathing proof of what you can achieve if you’re given a chance.

“Look at Ben Foster, he came through and now he’s representing England.”

Hayden has moved swiftly to bring in new coaching teams at reserve and youth level as he looks to secure the long-term future of the club, but he says the merits of his appointment will be obvious long before the next Ben Foster emerges.

“Warwick gave me an opportunity and I look back on it with fond memories.

“I want to repay the club for that and get the pride back in playing for Warwick again and the pride back in watching Warwick.

“I want to get the local community back through the gates.

“Anyone coming down to support us will notice there’s a different feel this season with young, hungry players who want to play for Racing Club.”