CHRIS Castle, brother of Sholing defender Pete, has been appointed assistant manager of Sydenhams Premier Division new boys Hamble Club.

Castle’s arrival offers valuable support to Ben Kneller, who is now in outright charge of first-team affairs following Scott Marchant’s decision to stand down as joint boss for family reasons.

A key driving force behind the club’s impressive rise from the Hampshire Premier League Division One to the Wessex top flight in the last four seasons, Marchant is not leaving the club completely.

He will still have plenty to offer the Monks in his new role as vice-chairman.

Saluting Marchant’s huge contribution to the Hamble success story, Kneller said: “If Scott hadn’t been at the club, we would never be where we are today. He’s had such a big impact on getting us this far.

“He’s taken us from Hampshire One into the Hampshire Premier and then into Wessex One and now the Wessex Premier.

“Scott’s not walked away completely. He was here for our friendly against Pagham on Saturday and again for the Chichester game last night.

“But Scott’s got a new baby and his two other boys are just starting to play football, so he’s got a lot of family commitments and it would be difficult for him to be on the touchline all the time.”

Although Kneller’s new right-hand man Castle has no previous managerial experience, he has been in and around football for a long time.

“I’ve known Chris for years,” said Kneller.

“He’s always followed his brother Pete around at different clubs and his dad was Netley Central manager.

“Chris has got a good football brain, he talks a lot of sense and the lads have really taken to him.

“It’s good to have someone like him working alongside me offering different ideas.

“Chris was behind us signing (striker) Sam Wilson and he’ll be at the forefront of some other signings too.

“We’ve still got Matt Gregory on board, Nick O’Donnell is goalkeeping coach again this season and Jess Bunce, who was physio at Romsey last year, has joined us.

“We’ve also got Dave Cox, (player) Danny’s dad, who’s going to be kit-man for us.”

Having beaten Pagham 2-1, Hamble Club routed Chichester City 6-1 in testing, wet conditions – Dougie Rowe (2), Nathan Lynch (2), Matt Troon and Coby Wilson the scorers.