EASTLEIGH have appointed Jason Bristow as assistant manager to new  boss Ben Strevens.

The former Basingtoke Town manager steps up from his role of head of scholarship at the Silverlake Stadium.

Bristow, told eastleighfc.com: “I’ve been around the club for a fair few months now with the scholarship scheme.

“I have had a good opportunity to work with Ben and the squad over the last few weeks, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“We have a talented group of players here and a talented manager in Ben, so I am really looking forward to it.

“We’ve been working with the scholars these past few months getting them involved in the first team and are looking for that to continue.

“We really want to continue and push on to make the players we already have in the scholarship programme feel a valued part of the football club.”

Strevens’ first game as Eastleigh boss is at Barrow on November 17.

Bristow's departure will leave a huge hole to fill at Basingstoke Town where has spent the best part of the last two decades.

A statement from the north Hampshire club said: "It is with a heavy heart that we can announce that first-team manager Jason Bristow is to leave the club to join National League side Eastleigh FC

"Jason leaves the club after 19 years as a player, coach, academy manager, assistant and first team manager. 

"He rightly deserves the position he has been offered and accepted at Eastleigh, and he goes with our complete blessing, encouragement and support.

"He will assist newly-appointed Eastleigh manager, Ben Strevens at the Silverlake Stadium. 

"We reached the play-offs on two occasions with Jason, creating memories that will last a lifetime for our fans. 

"His many varied roles at the club have always been carried out with unwavering professionalism and with love for our great club.

"He is, of course, responsible for building our academy effectively from scratch which is also a credit to him and his endeavour.

"Above all else, Jason is a tremendous person to know and to be around which everyone within the club will testify."

Terry Brown, who had stepped up to the director of football role at Basingstoke, is taking over as first-team manager of the Evo-Stik South Premier club with immediate effect.