NEW manager Dominic Cunliffe insists Bashley can belie their amateur status and secure Southern League survival – provided the players embrace a “different culture”.

Cunliffe, a senior lecturer in sports coaching at Southampton Solent University and former head coach of their varsity side Team Solent in Wessex One, was yesterday handed the reins at Bashley Road.

The cash-strapped New Forest outfit have struggled to compete without a playing budget as the club’s new committee, elected over the summer, battled to secure its long-term future.

Chairperson Angela Speechley-Price yesterday revealed that Bash had secured adequate finance to keep the club going for the next three years but that no funds would be available for the incoming boss for the foreseeable future.

Speechley-Price, however, has tasked the new man with avoiding relegation, a target Cunliffe welcomed.

Asked whether Bash, currently seven points from safety in Southern South & West, can stay up, Cunliffe told the Daily Echo: “I would not do it otherwise.

“If I find I am not the man to take it forward then I will be brutally honest and say that to Angela.

"It is a big commitment for everybody and there is a lot of expectation on my shoulders but I know we can survive. We are not that far away and I do envisage us being in the Southern League next season.

"You never wish ill on other teams but there are some clubs – bigger clubs than ours – who are struggling so it will be interesting to see what happens.

“It will be a challenge but if we can get a bit of confidence going and a run together we can soon move up the table.

“We have players with ability, they just need to be harnessed and supported. We will be instilling a different culture within the club throughout the different teams and the lads seem willing to change and adapt to a new philosophy.”

Cunliffe, a Devonian who played for Taunton Town, Tiverton Town and Bideford continued: “I was very encouraged by the commitment of the players and their willingness to learn during my first training session.

“In terms of recruiting players I think it is only fair to give the existing squad their chance to cement a place. We had a very good, open discussion about what I expect from the team and what I will be demanding of them.

“It was received very well and I got the impression they were looking forward to the transition. It is about making the small changes but we are under no illusions.

“Money is not the be all and end all. A lot of clubs are falling foul of paying too much to mercenary players and I think having a better club cohesion can serve us well.

“I am not naive to think it will not be a challenge but we are not looking for a short-term fix like a lot of clubs do.

“The Speechley-Prices inherited their fair share of problems but they have moved forward and secured the club for the next few years. Now we need to get the team playing better football.

“From what I have seen there is a lot of confidence round the place, we just need to harness that and push forward.”