FORMER Burnley boss Stan Ternent was unveiled as the new Gillingham manager at a press conference on Tuesday morning.

Ternent takes the reins 14 days after former boss Andy Hessenthaler stepped down.

Ternent is an old friend of Hessenthaler who was probably highly influential in the appointment.

Chairman Paul Scally decided on the 58-year-old after interviewing nine candidates for the job, including Micky Adams, Dave Bassett, Colin Lee and Steve McMahon.

Alan Liptrott, editor of unofficial fan website GillsConnect, said: "Stan certainly possesses the necessary qualifications to revive Gills fortunes although he will also need some quality signings to stave off the threat of relegation."

Ternent has signed a two and a half year contract and brings Ronnie Jepson with him as his assistant.

The new management team's first game in charge will be a tough away trip to leaders Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

STAN TERNENT FACTFILE:

Born: June 16, 1946.

Playing career: Played for Burnley and Blackpool in a career spanning 12 years before a knee injury forced him to hang up his boots.

September 1979: Took his first managerial role at Blackpool but was only in charge for five months.

February 1980 - November 1989: Gained experience with various coaching and assistant roles at Leeds, Bradford and Crystal Palace.

November 1989: Appointed manager at Hull City and enjoyed relative success by guiding the club from the bottom of the Third Division to a consistent mid-table side. After leaving the club in 1991 he was assistant manager at Chelsea in the top flight.

September 1995: Became manager at Bury after being Mike Walsh's assistant for a few months. Won two consecutive promotions to the First Division.

June 1998: Appointed Burnley manager and transformed the club from a mid-table Second Division side to a solid First Division team and narrowly missed out on a play-off place in 2001 and 2002.

June 2004: Ternent paid the price for not quite managing to return Burnley to the top flight and was not offered a new contract at Turf Moor.

December 7, 2004: Appointed the new Gillingham manager 14 days after Andy Hessenthaler stepped down.