Former Hampton & Richmond Borough centre-back Matt Elverson has hailed Alan Devonshire as the best manager he has worked with in 16-years of non-League football.

The 34-year-old landscape gardener was appointed first team player/coach at Ryman League Premier Division One South Walton & Hersham this summer after coming close to quitting the game altogether last season.

Elverson names Carshalton Athletic, Hayes, Kingstonian and the Beavers among his list of former clubs - enjoying three seasons at the Beveree before leaving at the start of the Blue Square South campaign.

He lifted the Ryman League Premier Division title and a host of cups under former West Ham United legend Devonshire at Hampton.

And the lanky defender, who is taking his first steps towards management himself, reckons Devonshire’s success tips the balance when it comes to choosing someone to model himself on should he become a manager himself.

“All the managers I have played with have brought different strengths and weakness to the job and I wouldn’t say there has been a bad one among them,” he said.

“Unfortunately the way you rate them is based on winning things. Because of that Dev has been far and away the best I have played under. Winning is what he is all about.

“You don’t win the Ryman League title without being a good manager and being a good team.

“I would like to think I have picked a few things about management along the way and if I can bring some of his success to what I’m doing now I should do okay.”