BURNLEY’S new general manager Matt Williams believes it’s an exciting time to be starting work at Turf Moor.

Williams took up his position with the Clarets on Monday and hopes to play a part in helping further Burnley success.

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He returns to the North West having previously worked at Blackpool, before taking over as Shrewsbury Town chief executive in May, 2014.

He maintained his home in Lancashire throughout his 20 months in Shropshire and, with his wife expecting their first child next month, is delighted to be back home.

And he admits he is raring to go at Turf Moor.

“It’s an exciting time to come into the club, with lots happening on the field and off the field,” he said.

“There is a lot of development going on off the field and the team are having some great results at the minute. It’s great to finally be part of it.

“The welcome I’ve been given by the staff and people at the club when I’ve been here on matchdays has been fantastic.

“I can’t wait to try and help the club and the staff to even more success.”

Williams was announced as Burnley’s new general manager back in November but had to serve a notice period with Shrewsbury, ending his time at the Greenhous Meadow last weekend as Shrewsbury knocked Sheffield Wednesday out of the FA Cup.

And while his former club might now be gripped by cup fever having drawn Manchester United at home in the fifth round, Williams is happy to be in East Lancashire.

“It’s an exciting place to be,” he said of Turf Moor.

“I think that the away end splitting so home supporters can attend in there is creating a great atmosphere throughout the ground now.”

The former Blackpool general secretary said he had experienced the ‘highs and lows’ of football with the Seasiders and the Shrews, and is expecting life at Turf Moor to be more challenging as a result of the success the club have had in recent years.

“It’s a much easier environment when things are going well on the field; it makes it easier off the field,” he said.

“You can’t take your eye off the ball with the off-the-field activity because you need a sustainable business model that can continue to give the manager the best possible chance on the field. I think this is probably going to be my toughest job.

“Shrewsbury had just been relegated to League Two when I went in there and they weren’t perhaps commercially aware, while Blackpool has always been run on a tight staff.

“To go into Burnley with a much bigger infrastructure of good people who are performing well makes my job a little bit tougher, but it’s one I can’t wait to get stuck into.”