The appointment was confirmed following the 2-2 draw at home to Chesterfield that has seen Fleet unbeaten in five and climb off the bottom of the table to 22nd.

Chairman Dr Abdulla Al-Humaidi, who was in attendance at the game, said: “I am very pleased to be able to confirm Kevin in his role on a permanent basis. We have all seen the improvement in recent weeks and he has the full backing of myself, of Dave Archer and, most importantly, the players at the club. They have responded to his coaching methods and I think everyone can see the results. We are, of course, extremely hopeful of staying in this division and Kevin has already begun the survival effort in earnest.”

Club CEO Dave Archer added: “It has been an upward curve in the last few matches and that was what we wanted Kevin to achieve coming into the club. He has hit the ground running and we want to give this squad the best chance they can possibly have without disruption at this crucial stage. Kevin has shown he can handle that. We wish him the best of luck in his role.”

And Watson himself said: “I am truly delighted. When I took over, I only had improvement in the short-term in my sights and now I can look long-term. With a club like Ebbsfleet, you knew there was going to be a lot of applicants. I was aware there’s 30 or 40 people waiting for me to fail to take their chance so it does feel like a weight off in a way and there’s nobody over my shoulder. Some of the names bandied about have obviously more experience or done more than me but I’ve always backed myself and I will always back myself to get this club out of trouble.

“I said I’ve done my apprenticeship and given the chance, I wanted to show what I could achieve and we’re starting to show that.

“The owner and Dave Archer couldn’t have been more complimentary and supportive. This is a big club in non-League, I couldn’t be more delighted and everybody has given me their full backing as interim manager.

“Now the role is permanent, it means I can be more flexible in my approach. We can look at improving areas if and when I think we need to but the boys we have here are really playing for me and for the club and I want that to continue and for us to move up the table.

“The fans have been first-class and we all want to do it for them this season. That’s the goal and up is where we want to be heading”.

Ed Miller