AS a former captain of Northampton Town and Barnsley, ex-Eastleigh defender Paul Reid boasts all the right credentials to be a manager.

But the 34-year-old admits it hadn't crossed his mind prior to being appointed joint boss of Vanarama National League South side Whitehawk.

Reid had been placed in interim charge of the Sussex club, with Alan Payne, following former Eastleigh teammate Ben Strevens’ pre-Christmas return to the Spitfires.

The pair have now been given the job until the end of the season.

The appointment brings some much-needed stability for the Hawks who had previously put Strevens in temporary charge, alongside Payne, in the wake of another ex-Eastleigh man, Richard Hill, leaving The Enclosed Ground to take up a scouting role at Aston Villa.

Reid, who also captained Eastleigh under Hill, said “I’ve enjoyed it so far. I’ve been captain at every club I’ve played for, so I’m used to running a changing room, but this takes it one step further.

“I’ve spoken to people since taking this on and they are surprised I never thought about doing it before.

“I’m hopefully putting my message across and the lads have been as good as gold with me.

“It’s not easy making that transition from being one of the boys.”

The 18th-placed Hawks still have work to do to protect their NLS status. Only goal difference separates them from third-to-bottom Weston-super-Mare.