FORMER international coach Paul Crosbie has vowed to bring a professional approach to March Town United after landing the manager’s job.

The 35-year-old, who was announced as Brett Whaley’s successor on Tuesday, is a former technical director of the Turks and Caicos Islands, in the West Indies.

He helped the Caribbean side shrug off their tag as the “second worst team in world football” - and his next challenge is to help the Hares climb the non-league ladder.

He said: “We may have been able to train in shorts and T-shirts all year round out in the Caribbean but the principles of management are the same here.

“We will try to make everything as professional as we can. I want to create an environment where the guys can come and lose themselves on the football pitch for a few hours a week.

“I want them to enjoy it and have the freedom to express themselves but I also want them to work hard to get their reward on a Saturday.”

Crosbie had been set to coach at Chatteris Town before he pipped six other candidates - including former Wisbech Town assistant manager Chris Dear - to the GER hot-seat.

The Scot is a UEFA B licence holder and has coached at Wimbledon Football Club (now MK Dons) and Leicestershire and Rutland FA.

He said he was delighted to get the job and was keen to build success for the whole club, including the reserve team.

“It’s definitely put a smile on my face,” he said. “I’m chuffed to bits.

“It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a long-term project that I’m really looking forward to.

“I tried to take a break from football. I thought I could live without it... but it turns out I can’t.”

Former March player Bob Warby has agreed to become Crosbie’s assistant manager while Chris Baker will continue in charge of the reserves.