Paul Noble said the chance to have a crack at being a first-team manager was too good to miss after taking the helm at Abingdon United.

Noble, 44, who was Didcot Town’s reserve team manager, takes over at the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division side following the departure of Richie Bourne.

One of Noble’s greatest achievements at Didcot, where he made 500 appearances as a player in a 20-year career, was helping them win the FA Vase in 2005 when he was assistant to then boss Stuart Peace.

“Abingdon are looking to build a new team from scratch made up of the talented young players from around the area of which there are a hell of a lot,” said Noble.

“I’m here for the long term where the aim over the next three or four years is to get the club back into the Southern League.

“I took over the reserves for a couple of years at Didcot and then for the next five years assisted Stuart (Peace).

“Five years ago I started Didcot’s Allied Counties under 18 side and for the last four years was reserve team manager and we’ve helped develop seven or eight really good players.”

Noble meets the players for the first time next Tuesday when he takes his first pre-season training session.

And he added: “I think this is a really good opportunity for me. I had half a season at Abingdon a few years ago and really enjoyed my time there.”

Noble’s assistants will be former Thatcham and Hungeford resreve team boss Andy Allum, with ex-Reading midfielder and UEFA qualified coach Mick Gooding.