Watkins is new United boss

Watkins, 41, steps up a division to take control of the new team after his East Sussex Premier League side Bexhill AAC merged with County Third Bexhill Town.

He said: "The Athletic club has always wanted to go forward and the merger gives us an opportunity to do that.

"I'm hoping that all the Athletic and Town players will stay on so I can build a good team. The more people we can get training from day one the stronger we'll be as a club."

Although relatively new to management, Watkins has enjoyed three good seasons in the Brewers League.

He won promotion with Rock 'n' Ore in his first role before moving to AAC, and in both seasons there his team finished runners-up.

He believes he can keep that success going in the county level. "I think the standard is comparable as they're both intermediate level," he said. "We're an ambitious club and I can't see any reason why we can't reach the first division within five years."

United's first training session will be on July 2 at 7pm at The Polegrove.

The new club will be running six teams next season (including two Sunday Parks sides) so new faces are as welcome as former Town and AAC players.