Roy Hodgson

England boss-to-be played for Ashford, Maidstone, Gravesend and Tonbridge

Roy Hodgson - expected to be named the new England football manager this week - spent many years playing for some of Kent’s leading non-league clubs.

The current West Brom boss was named last night as the one candidate on the FA’s shortlist to replace Fabio Capello in the national job.

Pundits say they anticipate discussions with FA chiefs to take place over the next 48-hours. Spurs’ boss Harry Redknapp had been hot favourite to get the job but appears either he or the FA got cold feet.

For many in Kent, the career of Mr Hodgson has been followed with interest.

He enjoyed spells with Ashford Town, Tonbridge, Maidstone United and Gravesend & Northfleet between 1966 and 1973 before embarking on his successful managerial career.

Among the high profile clubs he went on to manage were Inter Milan, the Switzerland, Finland and UAE national sides and Premier League clubs Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and - a short-lived - stint at Liverpool.