ALEX CHALMERS has upped sticks as chairman of Brockenhurst and been unveiled as new manager of Hampshire Premier Division outfit Hythe & Dibden.

His departure from Grigg Lane leaves another gaping hole to be filled following secretary Pete Plowman's switch to Bashley, but Chalmers is happy in the knowledge that he has left the Jewson Wessex League club in good shape.

He said: "When I joined Brock two and a half seasons ago, they were rock-bottom of the league and looked like being relegated, but I can leave them with my head held high.

"They've just had the best season they've had in a hell of a long time and have got themselves an excellent new manager in Pete Moore.

"There are still eight or nine good committee members down there who have assured me that they will continue what I've started and everything will be decided at committee level."

Ex-Army man Chalmers took over the chairmanship at Brock last October to help steady a rocky boat, but he admits that management has always been his first love. He had stints running Pirelli General's youth set-up and Brock's Wessex Combination side.

His appointment at Hythe will hopefully bring back some stability to the Waterside club, who have had three managers in little over a year. Tony Feeney made way for Dave Cox last summer and, when Cox left in mid-season, reserve team boss Pete Hosey stepped into the breach.

The good news for the Watersiders is that club stalwart Cox has returned to Jones Lane and, with Hosey, will help out in some capacity.

H&D chairman Robbie Parsons said: "Alex will need some help and having people like Dave and Pete in the background will be a bonus.

"Alex desperarately wants to get back into management and at the interview he struck me as being a really genuine, enthusiastic guy."

New Brock boss Moore is in the midst of rebuilding having lost half the side that finished the season so strongly under Paul Arnold, who is now in charge of Wimborne Town.

Chalmers admitted: "It was sad to see a lot of the players go and Paul Arnold, especially. For a moment it looked as if the wheels had fallen off the trolley, but I know that Pete (Moore) will bring a new dimension to the club."

Brock vice-chairman Dave Stansbridge has stepped up to replace Chalmers for the time being, but the club are hoping a new candidate will step forward before the July 10 annual general meeting.