JULIAN Dicks has returned to England for his first taste of football management.

The 40-year-old former left-back and Upton Park cult hero has left his home in the Spanish sunshine to become the new manager of struggling non-league side Wivenhoe Town.

His first scheduled game in charge of the Essex club is away to King’s Lynn Reserves this Saturday.

Dicks, who retired as a player following a recurring knee problem nine years ago, has a massive challenge on his hands. Large debts hang over the club and their 5-0 Ridgeons League premier division defeat by Tiptree United on Saturday extended their winless run to nine games under manager Wayne Ward, following the departure of former boss Richard Carter.

Talking to the Colchester Gazette, Dicks said: “It will be tough as there is no money for players, but I will be working with Wayne Ward as my assistant.

“You can’t do it on your own. It is a team game and we will be working together to get out of the situation we are in at the moment.

“I have been coaching and managing a bit in Spain, so I have still been involved in football.

“Coming back will be different. Even though the players have been of a similar standard over in Spain, the council always puts money in over there.

“It will be different, but it is like riding a bike and you don’t forget.

“I’m not being paid and I have a good life in Spain, so while I can’t say to fans ‘I can guarantee things will be great in a few months’ as I would be lying, I can say that I will give 110 per cent.

“That is what I did as a player and that is what I will do in management.

“Supporters pay £6 to get in and are entitled to their money’s worth and I will guarantee that those players will give 110 per cent or I will look to get in other players who can do the job.”

Dicks has a message for the people of Wivenhoe. He told the East Anglian Daily Times: “Come and support us, we need your support. I'm in this for the long run and want to help this football club get back on an even keel.”

Dicks is taking charge at Wivenhoe until at least the end of this season, as the Dragons try desperately to hold onto their Ridgeons Premier place.

Mid-table they may be, but Wivenhoe have lost seven on the bounce after the dramatic events which saw former boss Richard Carter, and all the first-team squad leave a couple of months ago.

The Dragons so far have 31 points to their name, but that won't be enough to secure their survival.

“Everyone knows the plight of the club,” says Dicks, “and when I heard about it through my friend Nick Murphy-Whymark, I offered to help.

“That was a couple of months ago and here we are now.

“I want to run the club as professionally as I can. I feel I've got a lot to offer. I want to get the team playing football and hopefully my experience will help.

“But I will expect hard work from everyone. This is what I want to do. I'm in this for the long haul.”

Dicks will be staying with family in Essex while he is managing Wivenhoe and only expects to go back to Spain on odd occasions.

Already friends of Dicks, including Perry Fenwick (Billy in EastEnders) and fellow actor Ray Winstone have said they would be prepared to come over to Wivenhoe and help the former Hammer out.