LYME Regis have appointed Kevin Turner as their new manager after previous boss Micky Hunt left Davey Fort.

Turner, whose son Ben plays for the Seasiders, is understood to have joined for the entire 2023/24 season and is currently in talks to appoint an assistant manager.

Turner is a former Lyme Regis, Axminster and Ilminster forward and has also managed Axminster’s first team and reserve setup.

And he confessed to the Bridport & Lyme Regis News of his desire to one day lead the Seasiders, with a little help from Ben.

He said: “I didn’t want to see the club struggle and my boy put me forward.

READ MORE: Micky Hunt joins Lyme Regis as permanent boss

“Even when I played there myself, I fell in love with the club. I felt the whole atmosphere, how welcoming they were. It was just a really good vibe.

“That’s continued and I’ve been in and out up there, helping out with Julien (Simier, ex-boss).

“I’ve always wanted to manage Lyme and with work commitments that’s never allowed me to do it because I work some weekends.

“I couldn’t really commit 100 per cent and I said that to Hitchy (Gerard Hitchcock, chairman) but hopefully there’s going to be enough players to pull it all together.

“It’s always been an ambition. I used to manage Axminster Reserves and then I did the first team.

“Now that I’ve been thrown under the bus (by his son), as they say, I’m looking forward to it!

“There’s some new faces there and now it’s just about getting formations and stuff like that. I didn’t really sleep much (on Tuesday), so it’s got me thinking.

“I’ll give it 110 per cent for as long as they want me there.”

And Turner was only too happy to step in to avoid any damage to Lyme on the playing side.

“It could’ve affected Lyme quite badly,” he said. “Especially this early before the season’s started.”

On his search for an assistant manager, Turner revealed newly-retired goalkeeper Chris Higgs is in the frame.

“When the rumours were going about Micky (leaving), Higgsy did say if I take it on that he may help me,” Turner said.

“I would like someone to help me. That’s something we’ll be discussing in the next few weeks.”

Hunt, 43, was officially appointed in late June and his fateful spell at Lyme adds to previous short-term roles at Bovey Tracey and Penryn Athletic.

Hunt also had stints at Kingsteignton, Callington and Plymstock on his CV but has now parted ways with Lyme, who are understood to be deeply frustrated by the situation.

Meanwhile, Turner oversaw Lyme’s 3-1 loss to a strong Bridport Reserves side at St Mary’s Field on Tuesday evening.

Ethan Matthews grabbed a late consolation for the amber and blacks, who went into half-time 3-0 down.

Lyme next host Sherborne Reserves in a friendly on Tuesday (7.30pm).