FORMER Bournemouth and Eastleigh striker Matt Tubbs has been named as permanent manager at Southern League Division One South Bashley following a successful interim stint.

Tubbs, who joined Bash as a player-coach during the second-half of their promotion campaign last year, stepped in on a caretaker basis following the departure of long-serving manager Paul Morris, who departed the GlenMex due to personal reasons.

During his interim spell in charge of the team, the Stags picked up seven points from four league games, including an impressive 1-0 win over fellow promotion hopefuls Frome Town in their last fixture.

Ahead of their trip to Bristol Manor Farm this Saturday (kick-off 12:30pm), Bash sit in eighth place, two points behind Frome who occupy the last play-off position of fifth.

Speaking on becoming permanent boss, Tubbs told Bashley’s website: ''I am excited to be given the permanent managers position at the football club and will give all I can to achieve to goals set out by the club.''

''The club is an exciting place to be at the moment with the success we achieved last season and we’ve continued good form into this season there is a good feeling around the place.''

''The chairman’s vision for this football club is exciting and this is a club on the up.''

''Got a great group of lads here and looking forward help develop and watch them grow as a group.''

Few had expected Bashley to make such a flying start to life back in the Southern League after six seasons away, with the Stags in and amongst the promotion picture with just under half the season played.

Leon Scott will remain in his head coach role, with new recruit Craig McAllister, a former teammate of Tubbs at both Crawley and Eastleigh, will continue as player-coach.

Elsewhere at Bash, first-team player Sam Jackson has been appointed manager of the Stags’ under-18 team.

The left-back, who himself came through the youth ranks at the club, will be joined by teammate Harry Bunce and Sam Smith as coaches.