NEW Milton Town have appointed former Cherries forward John Sainty as director of football.

It has been a notable period of upheaval at Fawcett’s Field, with Luke Phillips named first-team manager earlier this week.

The 70-year-old Sainty was a regular in Cherries’ Division Four promotion-winning side of 1971 and scored 20 goals in 118 league appearances at Dean Court.

He went on to serve a multitude of professional and non-league clubs in coaching and management roles.

Notably, Sainty took the job of academy director at Southampton and snapped up the 12-year-old Adam Lallana from Cherries’ centre of excellence for a fee of £10,000 in September 2000.

New Milton travel to Alton in Sydenhams Wessex League Division One tomorrow, while Ringwood Town visit East Cowes.

In the Wessex Premier, eighth-placed Bashley make the journey to Alresford, while Poppies go to Andover Town. Bottom-of-the-table Verwood Town entertain Fareham and Hamworthy are on the road to Sholing.

Brockenhurst welcome Newport while Lymington, whose midweek game against Alresford was postponed, host Fawley.

In Southern South & West, Wimborne Town visit high-flying Tiverton Town.