Margate have appointed Terry Brown, one of the biggest managerial names in non-league football, as their new boss.

The former Hayes, Aldershot and AFC Wimbledon chief accepted a three-year contract as full-time manager, along with his long-term assistant Stuart Cash, after flying back from Australia last week where he had been watching the Ashes series.

Brown, who took charge of the Gate for the first time in Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Ryman League, Premier Division leaders AFC Hornchurch, said on the club’s official website: “I was in Adelaide watching the debacle of a Test match when I received a call from (Margate chairman) Keith (Piper) asking whether I would be interested in the vacant position at Hartsdown Park.

“It came as a pleasant surprise and completely at the right time for me and so much was my interest that I flew back to England the next day. I met with Keith last Thursday with a view

to listening to what he had to say and spending some time to think the offer over.

“But, to be honest, I was so blown away by the passion he had, the vision and the dream for the future that I found it falling in line with exactly what I was looking for and I accepted there and then.”

Brown, who has been out of the game since he left AFC Wimbledon in September 2012, added: “I still have the same hunger as I did when I joined AFC Wimbledon. I loved every minute with the club and am here to repeat the success that we enjoyed. There is no reason why Margate Football Club should not have Football League status in the next few years."

Brown will take charge in a home game for the first time on Saturday when Margate meet Hampton & Richmond Borough at Hartsdown.