Sutton United coach Steve McKimm has won the Ryman Premier as a player and a coach, now he is aiming to do it as a manager after quitting Gander Green Lane for Tonbridge Angels.

The Angels were relegated from the Skrill South last season, and they have chosen McKimm as the man to take them back.

McKimm was signed by boss Paul Doswell in 2008, and made 115 appearances for the club before calling it a day in 2010 and concentrating on coaching.

After United missed out on promotion to the Skrill Premier a fortnight ago, McKimm decided to take the plunge into management.

“When the Angels job came up, I had a long chat with Paul [Doswell] and he said that I should go for the interview and if it doesn’t happen then it would stand me in good stead for the next time,” he said.

“I’ve gone with Paul’s blessing, which is important to me, and I have to thank him for signing me purely on a recommendation. Since then we’ve hit it off as friends and in our working relationship.”

The 38-year-old, who has already met his new players, added: “I am excited about the Angels job, but I am also a realist.

“The board have told me that promotion is not the be all and end all this season, but I am determined to go for that.

“If it doesn’t work out, then I will move on to the next challenge.”

McKimm, a midfielder on the pitch and a cabbie by trade, won the Ryman Premier as a player with the then named Gravesend & Northfleet, and he cites winning the same title with United as his brightest moment at the Lane.

He said: “It is not often you win things in football, and when you do, you have to cherish it.

“The FA Cup runs were great for the club as a whole, but winning the league was huge for everyone.”

Doswell said: “Steve will do a great job, I had not hesitation in recommending him to the Tonbridge board.

“I can see Steve succeeding and then returning to Sutton to take over here, once I am dead and buried.”

He added: “We now have a vacancy for a first team coach and my assistant, Jamie [Lawrence] is one of three or four people who have shown an interest. We should know who it will be in a couple of weeks.”