Crawley Down Gatwick have named Francis Vines as their new manager.

Vines was manager of Crawley Town from January 2003 to October 2005 and led the club into Conference premier by winning the Southern League in 2004.

He later managed Basingstoke, leading them into the second round of the FA Cup in 2006.

Crawley Down have been on the lookout for a new manager since Simon Wormull stepped down at the start of November due to personal reasons.

Vines, who has been out of football since a spell as Didcot Town manager, impressed the Crawley Down committee with his desire and vision for the club.

He said: “I am going back into management just down the road from my greatest years as a player and a manager, so I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“My target has never changed since I was a player. I want to win every game I take part in, no matter who it is. If we lose, hopefully we will lose having put in the right effort.”

Chairman Brian Suckling said: “We are delighted to get someone of Francis’s quality. He stood out to us as someone who can lead the club forward.”

Crawley Down are hoping Steve Robinson, who was interim manager, will remain at the club as a player.