GARETH Hatherley-Hurford has been revealed as the man charged with reviving the fortunes of Basingstoke RFC.

After a traumatic season, the board has moved quickly to appoint a new head coach, with Hatherley-Hurford, who has worked at Hackney and Wasps Ladies in the past, getting the top job.

The 32-year-old, who is also a community rugby coach and coach educator at the Rugby Football Union, knows he is taking on tough job, but it is a challenge that he is more than ready to embrace.

He said: “I didn’t want something easy. At the end of the day, if you cannot get psyched up or drawn in by a challenge like this, there’s no point."

Hatherley-Hurford will take over at a club that has just suffered a second successive relegation and will play in London Two South West next season.

He will have to rebuild a squad decimated by the fallout that followed the decision to field an ineligible player under a false name during a game early last season.

Hatherley-Hurford added: “One of the big things that made me want the job is that there were a lot of young players who stayed at the club, despite what happened.

"That is more important to me than the players who left. People want to be here and that is a testament to the club’s history."

Hatherley-Hurford has been charged with turning things around at Down Grange after being handed a three-year contract. He says that his primary aim is to improve morale.

“I could sit here and talk about titles and promotion, but for me, it is more about getting the guys enjoying their rugby again," he said.

“I want to create the best environment for rugby in Hampshire. If the players enjoy training and can transfer what we are doing there into games, then results will take care of themselves.

“If the players are enjoying their rugby it will get to the point where they want to put extra effort in. The environment we create is key.

“I want the club to progress in the long term, so I’m not setting any targets or being specific. I’ll talk to the players and ask them what they want and from that we can identify our goals."

It's fairly clear that Hatherley-Hurford will need to attract new players to the club, but it doesn't look like a raft of signings will be joining the club with him.

“It’s a fresh slate for me and I will look to do whatever is in the best interests of the club," he said. "That might mean bringing in players I know, but it is important that whoever comes in adds value to the squad."

Steve Parker, 'Stoke's chairman of playing, told The Gazette that Hatherley-Hurford's role will be to work exclusively with the club's first and second teams.

He added that the new man was the stand-out candidate for the role.

“I’m really excited about the appointment," Parker said. "Gareth is ambitious, has a good background and is a quality coach. He is well organised and has good attention to detail.

“I thought that going down might affect recruitment, but all in all, the quality of the applicants was strong.

“Gareth was the one who stood out though. We want to go back up and we have given him a three-year contract, which is important because it shows our faith in Gareth and ambition moving forward."

Hatherley-Hurford added: “I’m massively excited. It’s a huge, exciting challenge for me.

“I’d like to say thank you to the club for giving me this opportunity. It’s an honour and a privilege to have become part of the club and I hope I can do the job justice."