A former goalkeeper who made more than 300 appearances for St Albans City has returned to Clarence Park as part of the club’s new management team.

Paul Bastock is back at Saints as the assistant to new boss Ian Culverhouse following the departures of David Noble and Jon Meakes.

The new management team’s first task is to steer Saints away from the wrong end of the National League South table, as they are currently second from bottom going into tomorrow’s trip to Maidstone United.

Ian Culverhouse during his time as assistant manager to Paul Lambert at Aston VillaIan Culverhouse during his time as assistant manager to Paul Lambert at Aston Villa (Image: Action Images)

Chairman Lawrence Levy told the club website: “Ian and Paul have an impressive track record and importantly have experience of helping clubs to maintain their status at this level as well as drive on to achieve the success we desire this club desires, including its aim to gain promotion to the National League.

“I am delighted we have been able to attract Ian and Paul to this club and look forward to working with them both”.

A former right-back who is best remembered for his time at Norwich City, Culverhouse has managed King’s Lynn Town, Grantham Town and Kettering Town.

His most recent managerial role was at Boston United, who he joined in September 2022 and helped them preserve their National League North status in his first season, before leading the Pilgrims to promotion via the play-offs in May.

However, he was sacked at the end of October with Boston second bottom of the National League table after winning only two of their opening 16 matches.

The 60-year-old previously enjoyed success at King’s Lynn, leading them from the Southern League Central Premier Division to the National League North and then gaining promotion to rhe National League.

Culverhouse is a UEFA Pro-Licensed coach who has also worked at Brighton & Hove Albion, Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United, Norwich and Aston Villa.

Bastock previously worked alongside Culverhouse at King’s Lynn, Kettering and Boston after a career that saw him amass an all-time record of 1,286 appearances in league and cup matches.

More than 300 of those were made for Saints, who he first joined in the 2004/05 season and remained between the posts for the next seven seasons.

He returned to Clarence Park to help the club achieve promotion to National League South in 2013/14.