Thompson 'relishing’ his ‘bizarre’ chance to manage Baffins Milton Rovers for the next few months

The former Gosport Borough midfielder spent the past two seasons in charge at Hampshire Premier League pair Fleetlands and Infinity.

But he returned to the Wessex League in the summer as assistant to new Baffins Milton boss Shaun Wilkinson, who he knew from his Privett Park days.

Thompson has been happy in the shadows, but has been thrust back into the spotlight following Wilkinson’s long suspension.

The former Hawks and Weymouth star has been handed a 56-day ban by the Hampshire FA for two red cards and a social media posting.

That means Thompson will be in charge until mid-February, with Wilkinson unable to either attend matches or be involved at training.

Wilkinson picked the starting XI and formation for Wednesday’s Portsmouth Senior Cup semi-final with Horndean, but from now on his assistant is in total charge.

‘It’s a bizarre situation,’ said Thompson.

‘Shaun wears his heart on his sleeve and you’re never going to change him.

‘But now he hasn’t got any influence at training or on match days … it’s tough. I’m trying to put myself in his shoes.’

Thompson added: ‘Having had a taste of management, I’m not going to lie - I want to be a manager again one day.

‘I’m relishing this opportunity, even though I wasn’t expecting it in this way.

‘I’ll be doing my utmost to get us up the table.

‘I’ve enjoyed working with Shaun, but now I need to step up a bit.

‘We’ve only won three league games out of 11 and for the squad we’ve got that’s not good enough.

‘We’ve got experienced players like Charlie Searle, Zak Sharp, Tommy Scutt, James Cowan.’

Thompson has described his first few league games as ‘massive’ - a home game with lowly Alresford this weekend followed by trips to AFC Portchester (next Tuesday), Bournemouth Poppies (December 19) and Hamble (December 30).

Baffins won 3-0 at Alresford in their opening league game in early September, and Thompson recalled: ‘That was probably our best performance of the season.’

Moneyfields youngsters Rhys Lloyd and Danny Burroughs, signed on a dual registration during lockdown, are available for selection for the first time.

They couldn’t feature against Horndean in midweek as their parent club are still in the Portsmouth Senior Cup and boss Dave Carter didn't want the pair cup-tied.

Josh Warren is available after a one-game ban and Callum Dart is back from injury.

Centre half Ryan Peake, dual signed from Chichester City, could come in to replace the released Brandon Miller.

‘Portchester away is a free hit for us,’ said Thompson. ‘No-one will expect us to go there and win.

‘But I’ve told the players I expect points in the other three games we’ve got left this year.’