Bashley chairman Richard Millbery set his sights on eventually gaining promotion to Conference South after naming former European Cup winner Frank Gray as the club’s manager.

Ex-Leeds United and Nottingham Forest star Gray was yesterday confirmed as Steve Riley’s successor in the Recreation Ground hot-seat.

A former Scotland international, Gray boasts an impressive CV having worked under legendary bosses including Don Revie and Brian Clough during a distinguished playing career.

An experienced manager on the non-league circuit, the 57-year-old joins the Southern Premier outfit following his exit from Basingstoke Town in February.

Millbery told the Daily Echo: “We have got to look upwards and we would love to be in the Conference South and Frank would love to take us there.

“But, realistically, that is not a one-year job. It takes time to do that unless you throw money at it, which Bashley don’t do.”

Discussing the appointment, Millbery added: “For us of an older age, he was something special. He was at Leeds United from 1970 to 1979 and Nottingham Forest from 1979 to 1981 and that was where he won the European Cup.

“That is not the whole reason – that was part of it because he is a high-profile person. Frank had a very good run at Basingstoke. He knows the area, lives locally and knows the league and what is happening.

“We had 12 applications and shortlisted three. Any of those three could have done the job but if you say Frank Gray to a lot of football people, it is a gasp. Following Jimmy Case not many years ago, we have now got Frank Gray at Bashley.”

Gray’s assistant boss Gerry Murphy has also joined Bashley as part of the new management team.