Ex-Kingstonian manager Alan Dowson has backed former assistant Gary Abbott’s application for his job, but stopped short of recommending him as the man to replace him.

The 43-year-old manager, who is taking a break from the game while he considers his options, urged the former Sittingbourne chief to apply for the post in the wake of his resignation at the weekend.

Dowson quit on Sunday having felt he could not take the club any further after seven successful years at Kingsmeadow culminated in a Ryman Premier League play-of semi-final exit last month.

And he reckons Abbott could be the man to get Ks into the Skrill South should he get the chance.

“Gary is a great kid and I’d ben really pleased if he were to get the job,” he said.

“He was fantastic as an assistant to me and he did a good job at Sittingbourne as manager.

“It is not for me to tell the board who to choose, but I think Gary would do a great job.”

Dowson, currently in Weymouth, will put his mind to his future in a fortnight’s time but he insisted he certainly had nothing lined up at the time of his resignation.

“I want to get get back in the saddle as quickly as I can,” he added.

“I might not get a job until October, but I am a football man and I want to get back into the game as soon as I can.

“I’m not one of those people who cannot stop. I know I said I wanted to spend some time with my family, but if I were at home all the time I’d drive the Mrs mad.

“There will be no long goodbye from me. Once the decision is made, the job is done.”