DORCHESTER Town have moved swiftly to appoint Callum Brooks as their new manager.

Brooks joins from Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division side Hamworthy United little more than 24 hours after the sacking of predecessor Steve Thompson.

Brooks, who has prior managerial and coaching experience at New Milton and Poole Town respectively, will introduce himself to the Magpies’ squad at training tomorrow night before overseeing his first game in charge at Farnborough on Saturday (3pm).

With the Magpies occupying the first relegation place in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier South, Brooks has just 10 games to save Dorchester from the dreaded drop.

Brooks’ task is arguably more achievable given the congested nature of the standings, where a total of seven points separate the Magpies in 20th from Swindon Supermarine in eighth.

Basingstoke, who lie directly above Brooks’ new club, are only ahead of Dorchester on goal difference, while the county town side have a game in hand over the Dragons, Walton Casuals, Gosport and Hendon – all within three points.

Of interest to Dorchester fans will be Brooks’ excellent home form this season, with Hamworthy also plying their trade on a 3G pitch.

Under Brooks’ stewardship, the Hammers have won 17 of 24 home games, losing seven, while sitting in fifth place in the league.

An excellent run in the FA Vase this season, halted by a 1-0 loss in the fourth round to Toolstation Western League Premier Division leaders Willand Rovers, confirmed Brooks’ cup pedigree.

Highly-rated Brooks has only been at ninth-tier Hamworthy since May when he replaced Brendon King, who left to join Portland United.

As a youngster, Brooks had a spell at Crystal Palace before picking up coaching experience at Bournemouth’s academy.