Paul Hubbard has declared himself the Dave Bassett of Sussex soccer.

Hubbard is back in management as caretaker boss of struggling Saltdean United.

The former Whitehawk chief, now a director at Saltdean, does not particularly want the role but admits he will do his best to perform a rescue operation at Hill Park.

Two years ago Saltdean were one of the forces of the Sussex County League, paying out good money to attract the best players in the area. These days, the money has run out, the kitty is dry and the future is bleak.

Cue Hubbard, the man often called upon to help out clubs in time of need.

The Tigers are currently bottom of Division One without a win from 11 games. It is a record which saw Steve Bean demoted to reserve team manager last month.

Hubbard said: "I always seem to be called on when clubs have no money and are struggling. I seem to get landed with these jobs.

"Saltdean have been one of the more wealthy clubs in the league for the last four or five years but now, hand on heart, I have nothing to spend. There is nobody putting in money at all.

"I have got to try to galvanise the players who are already here and want to stay and fight. There are some who have already indicated they will be on their way. I need to find out who is going to stay as soon as possible."

Young striker Ian Costello has already left for Peacehaven and fellow teenager Sam Assefi is on his way to Crawley Down.

Hubbard is hoping to sign Lee Mansell from Hurstpierpoint and Richard Watts from Whitehawk. He also has high hopes for Aaron MacMillan and Grant Bean, who is the son of the former manager.

Hubbard said: "A lot of the players who are already here are very good footballers but they have got to learn that in County League football it isn't just about being a good footballer. They have got to be competitive and work hard.

"I am more well known for creating players who go on and become names, like Kevin Townsend and Damion Dobbyn, and to a certain degree Warren Buss. I have now got to create players rather than buy in players. But it is difficult for me because I have nothing to offer."

The same applies to the manager's position as there is little to attract anyone to the post. Hubbard added: "I will do the job as long as they want me to. But I would step down tomorrow if they could find someone of the right calibre."