Nikki Bull is pledging to put his heart and soul into the job after being placed in charge of first team affairs at Margate, following the sacking of Terry Brown at the weekend.

The 34-year-old goalkeeper, assisted by coach Jamie Stuart, oversaw Tuesday's training session and says he is planning for the long-term.

Bull, who lives at Wokingham in Berkshire, and is involved in property development away from football, said: "I am young, hungry and am going to be put my heart and soul into it - full-time, 24/7.

"I haven't applied for the job, but I've got a great relationship with the people at the club, and my interview began the moment I got the call asking me to do it.

"I believe I can do the job, having been in the game since the age of 16, played at the highest level, and worked under some good managers.

"The club haven't given me any indication about what's happening regarding appointing a new manager, but I am already preparing for the Gosport game on Saturday week, and Maidstone over Christmas."

Bull spoke to Brown after the news of his departure broke hours after the 3-0 defeat at fellow strugglers St Albans.

He said: "Terry is a football man and an extremely honest guy.

"I have known him for 15 years, and I will always be grateful to him since he signed me at Aldershot, and put me straight in the first team at the age of 19, after I was released by Queens Park Rangers."

Bull has called the squad in for training on Saturday as the club are without a game and is mulling over the offer of using Fulham's training ground at Motspur Park.

He said: "I got the players in early for a meeting on Tuesday, and I was overwhelmed by the support they have given me, how they applied themselves, and their reaction has given me huge confidence.

"They won't be getting a free weekend and will probably wish we had a game when they see what we have planned for them.

"We got ourselves in this mess, and we have got to get ourselves out of it "

Meanwhile Margate say the search for Brown's successor is "ongoing."

They have received more than 20 applications for the job.