John Maggs insists he still has the appetite and hunger to bring success to Hastings United despite “clocking on a bit” in years.

The 70-year-old took over the reins on Monday from interim managers Terry White and Mark Stapley for the 3-1 win over Ramsgate in Ryman south.

The victory kept the U’s second on goal difference behind one of Maggs’ former clubs Crawley Down Gatwick but there are no points at stake today when Ramsgate visit again in the FA Cup.

United reached the third round last season after a money-spinning run which ended at Championship side Middlesbrough but they also got relegated and Maggs reckons he still has what it takes to get the club heading back to Ryman premier – and beyond.

Maggs said: “The first comment someone said to me is ‘Hastings shouldn’t be where we are’.

“Well, whatever has gone on in the past, this is where they are. They are in Ryman south.

“It is my job to get them out of this league and get them to where people want them to be.

“The chairman wants to go back to where they were and he wants to go further than that.

“The club is ambitious and looking at Conference football. With all that going on, it’s a wonderful job.”

Maggs admits he has taken over in unusual circumstances – with United topping the table – and has hailed the short-term achievements of White and Stapley.

He said: “Managers don’t usually get jobs when teams are top of the league.

“You always move to a club who are struggling but I have come here and they are top of the league.

“There is pressure on me and I will take that on the chin but I will also say the two boys who stepped in have done a brilliant job.

“They are unbeaten, so they must have been close to getting the job themselves.

“Everyone has agreed, including me, that Terry remains there as a coach alongside me and I don’t have a problem with it. We go back donkey’s years and he is no stranger.

“We have got quite a good backroom team.

“There is no reason why we can’t take the club forward.

“I had a chat to all the players and the first thing I did was congratulate them on their start to the season.

“I am not going in there to throw everyone about. What I have said is I will assess the squad and players and, if I can bring in more quality to a side, I will do that.

“That will be for the benefit of the team and in taking us in the right direction.”