Current Hampton boss Humphries has been unveiled as the new manager of Whittlesey – a club that has earned a reputation for under-achieving either side of their 2004-05 title triumph.

With Hampton folding at the end of the campaign, Humphries has beaten off stiff competition to land the Whittlesey job.

Humphries, who will be assisted by Steve Toyne, said: "Whittlesey is a big club locally and one that is very well run behind the scenes.

"They have good backing and good sponsorship and it will be a big challenge to try and do there what I have managed at Hampton – that is to mould a good young side capable of establishing itself towards the top.

"I had no hesitation in accepting when they called to offer me the job and I hope to show the people at Whittlesey they have made the right decision.

"It is a new start but I hope one or two of the lads from Hampton will come with me over to Whittlesey."

Before taking control of his new club, Humphries (right) is bidding to lead Hampton to a smashing second place finish in their final campaign.

And their cause was helped by a 2-1 success over Whittlesey on Saturday which was lit up by a cracking Steve Mastin goal.

Stewart Rosella pounced on a defensive mistake to hit the other Hampton goal before Rob Speechley cut Whittlesey's arrears in the second half.

Hampton now need to win two of their final four games to be assured of the runners-up berth but Humphries is taking nothing for granted with star striker Glen Gilbert suspended for three of them.

Not only did Humphries get an insight into the players he will inherit in the summer, he saw his current crop shine.

He added: "We played really well in the first half and got a crucial result. Second place is in our hands now but losing Glen is a big blow as we are not the same team without him.

"It was useful as well to have a look at the Whittlesey players. I know they were without a few lads but it is clear they have plenty of talent in their first and reserves teams."

Outgoing Whittlesey boss Lee Minett – the man who mastered the 04-05 title success – said: "We had five key players out which affected us and the fight now is to hang on to fourth place through some difficult remaining games."


CHAMPIONS Perkins were presented with the Peugeot Premier Division trophy after a low-key success over Parson Drove.

A freak Jason Bannie goal – his first for five years – made sure Perkins collected maximum points in their last-ever home game which provided a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming PFA Senior Cup final between the same teams.

Perkins boss Alex Brown said: "I suspected it might not be the best game and it was a case of after the Lord Mayor's show with the title already wrapped up.

"I really wanted to go out with a bang in our last home game.