BASINGSTOKE RFC have appointed Jim Kelly as head coach – and the new man has his sights set on guiding the club to the national leagues.

Kelly, who played for Harlequins and has previously coached London Scottish, worked with the ’Stoke squad in the early part of last season and will take over the coaching duties on a part-time basis.

The Aldershot-born man has spent the last couple of seasons as London Scottish’s forwards coach but has given it up due to work commitments and wanted to take charge of a Hampshire club.

“I am a Hampshire boy and I had it in my mind that it would be nice to get involved with a local club,” he said. “Chris Cook (Basingstoke RFC’s chairman of playing) has the vision of making Basingstoke the best club in Hampshire and eventually gaining a place in the national leagues. I just wanted to be part of that.”

Kelly, a prop, retired from playing due to injury a couple of years ago but plans to make a comeback.

He said: “Player-coach is not the easiest of jobs but I did it at London Scottish and was successful in London two and London one.”

Joining Kelly at Down Grange next season will be former Gloucester centre Rory Greenslade-Jones, 34, who will join in an player-assistant head coach role with particular responsibility for the backs.

Gareth Lewis and Lee Johnson continue their roles as coaches, while Kelly does not anticipate overhauling the playing staff.

“Having worked for half a season at the club, there is a lot of talent and a good youth set-up,” he said. “There are a couple of positions that we have identified need strengthening but it is not a case of all change.

“We are hoping to establish a mindset and culture where the young players are allowed to develop. We want to win more than we lose but I am looking to develop the whole club to help provide national rugby in the next few years.”

After losing two head coaches last summer, ’Stoke’s march to the London two south title was masterminded by Cook – but he feels that the time is right for a change.

“The squad has now got to a certain point and it is right to move to the next stage,” he said. “The new guys will bring in some fresh ideas but there is a base to build from.”