BASHLEY have appointed former Team Solent head coach Dominic Cunliffe as the club’s new permanent manager.

Cunliffe, a lecturer at Southampton Solent University, left his role with the varsity side and Wessex One outfit in July.

Bash chairperson Angela Speechley-Price stated the new man, who previously managed the reserve teams at Eastleigh and Basingstoke, would continue to work with a zero playing budget for the time being. 

Cunliffe will initially be assisted by Paul Morris, formerly with Lymington & New Milton and father of current Bash player Brad Morris.

The club had initially sought a manager who could bring in funding but Speechley-Price still has her sights set on Southern League survival having also revealed that the club had gained funding to secure its future for the next three years.

Speechley-Price told the Daily Echo: “Now we have a solid platform off the pitch, we need to stay in the Southern League.

"We have been very encouraged by Dominic’s enthusiasm and fresh ideas. We had a few applicants but he really stood out and we believe he will be an asset to Bashley Football Club.

“He was very positive from the start and very understanding about having nothing to work with. He still believes he can help us and I believe we can achieve survival.”

Bash are second bottom of Southern South & West with five points from 16 games, seven points adrift of nearest rivals Wantage.