Tonbridge Angels have named Lewes boss Craig Nelson as their new manager.

Nelson succeeds Jay Saunders, who’s joined Folkestone, and will formally take charge at the end of the season.

The 38-year-old was among eight candidates interviewed by the National League South club.

He’s enjoyed a rapid rise in management, having been at Southern Counties East side Glebe a year ago.

He led them to the top of the league before standing down four games from the end of the season.

A move to Isthmian Premier Lewes followed last summer and, after impressing there, he jumps up to Step 2 with Tonbridge.

“It’s a fascinating opportunity,” said Nelson, who lives in West Wickham.

“It came a little bit out of the blue but when I heard about the job it was something I was interested in.

“I’m from the local area, I know the history and heritage of the club and I played against them many moons ago.

“When we were starting our journey as a management team, we wouldn’t have thought an opportunity like this would come so quickly, so it’s good.”

Nelson feels it’s important to complete the season at Lewes, who are 13th in the Isthmian Premier.

They gave him a chance at Step 3 and he’s enjoyed his time there.

But Tonbridge, who have placed skipper Scott Wagstaff in caretaker charge, was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“Leaving Lewes was a really tough decision,” said Nelson.

“It felt like unfinished business and they’d taken a chance on me when I was a manager two steps below, so I don’t take leaving lightly.

“It would have felt a bit unkind and disrespectful if I didn’t try and see out the last couple of games because I am wholly grateful to them for all the time and effort they put into me and the support they’ve shown.

“There’s some really fantastic people and fans and it’s a fantastic club.

“I know it’s not going to go down well and I’m going to have to take a bit of stick, whether it be from the fans or whatnot.

“But, ultimately, I still want to stand proud and with some integrity in front of them and say I’ve done what I can but I can’t turn down the opportunity to elevate my career path at such a wonderful club.

“It doesn’t come around that often.

“I hope at some stage they will understand but I think staying to see out the season was really important.

“Looking at this opportunity to be local to a club, a massive club, a league above, it takes it to a whole different planet and it would have been naive of me to not look at it and consider it.

“That’s the basis of my decision.

“I know that the club understand through various conversations we’ve had.

“The fans will take it a little bit differently, there will probably be a mix of congratulations and others who are a bit annoyed, but that’s what happens in football.

“There’s no guarantees of anything in football and sometimes you have to seize your moment.”

Nelson is joining a club who are established in National League South after six years in the division.

Ex-boss Saunders led them to a record ninth-placed finish in the first of his three seasons in charge, just missing out on the play-offs.

It’s down to Nelson, who is still to confirm his backroom team, to make his mark at Longmead.

“Credit to Jay because they play some really nice football and he did amazingly well and is such a nice person,” said Nelson.

“I don’t think it’s about trying to fill his shoes, it’s just going in there and showcasing what we can do and trying to find a connection with the fans that means something to me and them, rather than trying to replace Jay.

“It will be new, so it’s having the time to allow that to embed and settle in, but that’s the fun part for me because once you get that buy-in from the club and the fans, it doesn’t go anywhere and it makes for good foundations.

“From speaking to Sophie (Purves, chair) and the directors, they understand change is always going to be a bit turbulent, so it’s about building the foundations and looking to progress from there.

“I look forward to being part of that journey.”

Tonbridge lost 4-1 at home to Farnborough in Wagstaff’s first game as caretaker manager last weekend, Harry Ottaway with a late consolation.

They make the long journey to Weston-super-Mare this Saturday (3pm), sitting 13th in the table with four games to play.