New Horsham boss Gary Charman knows how many matches he has played for his hometown club.

But he might lose count of how many times he watches them play on DVD or online by the end of this season.

Charman loves to watch and re-watch Hornets matches during the week as he prepares for the following Saturday.

And he reckons he will step up his homework after being confirmed as Simon Colbran’s successor.

The 32-year-old previously worked as assistant to Colbran while taking his tally of appearances to 558, in which he has scored 156 goals.

Charman is in his second stint with Hornets having made his debut when he was 16.

But he admits he has thought about being a manager for several years.

He said: “Since I was in my early 20s I’ve always seen myself as becoming a manager in the future. I’m a tactician. I study the game.

“I get copies of our games and watch them once or twice during the week and I’ll be doing more of that now. It’s a passion of mine.

“My first game for Horsham was just before I turned 17.

“I was a young boy so they would take me out of the side, then put me back in.

“I became a regular when Russell Mason was manager.

“I was this slightly built left-winger who scored goals.

“Then John Maggs came in and we had a good side.

“About three years ago he played me at the back away to Hendon and I had a good game.

“I see myself as a centre-half now.

“I’ve had my ups and downs – plenty more ups than downs.

“I’ve given my all to Horsham and I’ve still got a couple of years left playing.

“If I’m fit and playing well enough I will be in the squad.”

Charman is part of Albion’s junior coaching team, taking the under-14s, and is working towards his UEFA B coaching badge.

He will be assisted at Horsham by coach Rob Frankland and says he also has support from the changing room.

There could be additions to the squad – but not in time for the home game against Folkestone today.

He said: “The players have all said they are right behind me.

“The feedback has been outstanding and that means a hell of a lot.

“Rob will work with me and he is very well respected in non-league.

“His contacts and his man-management are second to none.”

Charman will be popular appointment at Horsham. And not just with dad Roger, who is a steward, and mum Jeannie, who works in hospitality.

He can add to the feelgood factor by producing the results he believes Horsham should have been getting all season.

The former Eastbourne Borough player said: “We’ve got to start winning. We are not winning winnable games and we are losing games we could draw.

“The defeat at Tooting was the only time we have been outplayed. We have been in contention in all the rest of them.

“Even when we lost 2-0 at Sittingbourne last Saturday we were the better side for 70 minutes – but without a cutting edge.

“We need to get Jamie Cade firing. He is the best striker in our league.

“It would be fantastic to lead Horsham into the new stadium but that is nothing to do with my decision now.

“We’ve got a great bunch of players.

“We need to strengthen the said but I’m lucky because I’ve inherited a good football team.”