Former Gills midfielder Nicky Southall has been appointed manager of non-league Whitstable.

Southall (pictured), who was a member of Andy Hessenthaler's coaching staff at Priestfield between 2010 and 2012, has been in temporary charge at The Belmont alongside interim manager Richard Langley.

Whitstable parted company with previous boss Justin Lutchford - who signed Southall as a player-coach at the start of the season - last month.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for Nicky to carve out a role within the club and establish himself in non-league management," said Whitstable chairman Gary Johnson.

Whitstable are 20th in Ryman League Division 1 South with 16 points from 17 games after a 2-0 home defeat to Corinthian Casuals on Saturday.