CHRIS Todd has beaten off competition from a quality list of applicants to be named new boss of Vanarama National League outfit Eastleigh.

Former Football League bosses and even managers with international experience were queuing up to succeed Richard Hill at the Silverlake Stadium.

But having completed the last of seven interviews yesterday, the Spitfires believe Todd - who took caretaker charge when Richard Hill quit after three years in charge on September 23 - is the right man for the job.

The 34-year-old defender instantly got the support of the players and three superb wins out of four - away to Wrexham and Tranmere and at home to league leaders Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday - have got the popular Welshman the nod.

A club statement said: "Eastleigh FC are delighted to announce that Chris Todd has been appointed as the new Eastleigh FC first team manager. Having conducted, what we feel has been a thorough application and interview process we have appointed a manager who shares in the vision and ambition of the club.

"Having been at the club for a few years now Chris understands the ethos and outlook of the club and we are extremely excited at the prospect of him leading us through the next stage of our development.

"Whilst Chris is new to management he has a wealth of experience at this level both as a player along with his recent role as assistant.

" He is very well thought of in the game and has very good footballing connections which the club should benefit from. We feel that the level of enthusiasm, desire, commitment and focus that Chris demonstrated in his interview along with his other attributes made him the natural choice.

"We now look forward to Chris’s first game in charge as our official manager at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"I am sure he will get a great reception from the fans who are making the trip to the game and then subsequently when the team play there next home game against Halifax."

The club will announce the appointment of a new assistant manager shortly.