Ball replaces Dan Sackman, who took over as head coach in early December 2021.

The former Moneyfields and Horndean player was thrown in at the deep end in late October, going up against his former mentors Glenn Howes and James Wood in a Buildbase FA Trophy qualifier against Dorchester Town in his very first game in charge as the Stags defeated the Magpies with a rousing 2-0 victory.

The son of 1966 World Cup winner Alan Ball, Jimmy took temporary charge League Two side of Forest Green Rovers in April 2021 following the sacking of Mark Cooper.

Ball, who had been working under Paul Tisdale at another League Two outfit, Stevenage, until his departure last week, joins the club in a full-time capacity overseeing the Stags’ football operations in addition to managing the first team.

Ball told the club`s Doug Webber: “I am really excited, mostly about the project, about the future and what we can hopefully build at this club.”

He highlighted that he had been impressed by the club’s direction and the attributes of the playing staff, adding that his initial focus will be on “getting behind people, challenging people in the right way and pushing people to fulfil their potential,” while reiterating the Stags’ ambition to gain promotion this season.

Ball’s first game in charge will be against Bideford AFC at the Snows Stadium on Saturday.