CALLUM Brooks hopes an inherited love of football will stand him in good stead in his first managerial post at New Milton Town.

The 28-year-old son of Cherries head of youth Shaun, and grandson of former England international John, starts his career in the dugout with the Linnets, who are likely to be accepted into Wessex League Division One next season.

Brooks Jnr, who had a short spell with Crystal Palace as a teenager before focusing on coaching, will give up a role with AFC Bournemouth's under-12s to take the position at Fawcett's Field.

He will have plenty of experience to call upon with father Shaun having featured for Palace, Cherries and Leyton Orient as well as England schoolboys, while grandfather John scored twice in three England appearances during the 1950s and was a revered inside forward for Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Palace.

But despite his connections, Callum, a full-time football coach with the LeAF Academy, insists he will be doing things his own way when he takes the New Milton hot-seat.

The new Linnets boss told the Daily Echo: “I absolutely love the game and this opportunity was too good to turn down. Managing is something I have always wanted to do.

“When I realised I wasn't going to make it at Palace, I played for a few local teams around the Stevenage area but work started taking over and I just kept my hand in, coaching local kids at grassroots level. In the end, I dedicated my life to coaching and eventually went full-time.

“My dad has had a big impact on my life and that has meant I have watched a lot of games and seen behind the scenes at different clubs. He was the first person I called when I got the job.

“He congratulated me and said to ring if there was anything I needed, but he also understands that I have strong views and will want to do things my own way.”

Brooks, who has also coached Poole Town's development squad, faces a tough rebuilding job at the club that finished bottom of the Wessex Premier following a three-point deduction for not fulfilling their final fixture against Newport IOW.

Former boss Darren Curtis struggled to raise a side in the second half of the season as recently stalled merger talks with Bashley unsettled the already struggling New Forest outfit.

However, the new man in charge is not fazed by the task, despite operating without a playing budget.

Brooks added: “My first remit is to get a buzz around the club again, to get people through the gate and enjoying their football.

“There are a lot of players to look at, some from last season, and a lot of planning to do and we're setting no targets yet. Without a playing budget it will be hard to bounce back (to the Wessex Premier) at the first attempt.”