Former Gillingham, Bolton and Nottingham Forest player Nicky Southall takes over as manager of Southern Counties East side Lordswood

Lordswood have appointed former Gillingham player Nicky Southall as their new manager.

The 51-year-old has recently expressed his interest to get back into management having most recently been at Dover Athletic as a first team coach, following a spell as assistant manager at Maidstone.

Southern Counties East Premier Division side Lordswood have been looking for a new manager following the surprise resignation of Matt Barman earlier this month.

He takes over a Lordswood team that sit 11th in the SCEFL Premier Division table and brings in former Sheppey United coach Ross Wiles as his assistant - a man who has been instrumental in building up the youth section during his time with The Ites.

Wiles briefly stepped in as caretaker manager at Sheppey earlier this season.

Lordswood are looking to develop youth through their first team and the new management team have been selected with that in mind.

The SCEFL side said they had been overwhelmed by interest in the job and have gone for Southall, who has plenty of experience in the dugout, having been long-time assistant manager to Andy Hessenthaler during their time together at Gillingham.

Southall, who played at teams including Hartlepool, Grimsby, Gillingham, Bolton and Nottingham Forest, has previously managed at Whitstable Town.

Lordswood are away to Holmesdale this Saturday in the SCEFL Premier Division.