Tracey's move from AFC Sudbury, which had been an open secret for several weeks, will see him working closely with Paul Grainger at Stoneylands, the latter taking on a new role as general manager.

The former AFC skipper was due to take charge of the Melford team last Saturday at Gorleston, but the game was called off following snow in Norfolk.

"I was raring to go," he said, " so it was a massive disappointment when the game was off. But I'm looking forward to leading the side at Hadleigh this week, and to a winning start."

The move, he said, "is a good opportunity to further my career. I am still capable of playing and hopefully my experience will rub off on the players.

"I am a winner, and I want to get a winning mentality back at the club. I'm not going there to finish third from bottom. A couple of wins on the bounce, and who knows what we can do?"

Tracey was released from his contract with AFC by mutual consent. He had signed a one-year deal when he moved back to King's Marsh last summer.

But AFC have retained his Ryman League registration, and he will play for the club if injury problems strike.

AFC manager Mark Morsley said: "Chris will be a great asset to the club. It's something he wants to do, and I am happy to let him go to Melford.

"He has been a great servant at AFC, and he will be a great manager in the future."

Tracey, who played for Sudbury Town, joined AFC following the amalgamation with Sudbury Wanderers in 1999, and was appointed captain, leading the club to five successive league titles.

He was released at the end of season 2004-5 and joined Ipswich Wanderers, moving the following season to Needham Market as player-manager.

He has made 311 appearances for AFC, scoring 18 goals.

Melford vice-chairman Simon Garden said Tracey's decision to move into the hot seat at Stoneylands had produced "a buzz about the place.

"He is experienced and a winner, and he will act as a role model for the up-and-coming players at the club."

Grainger welcomed the appointment. "Having been good friend with Chris for over 25 years, there is nobody I would rather work with in local football.

"He is Long Melford's biggest signing for many a year, and his arrival will hopefully kick-start the season and the future."