PAUL Davies has vowed to carry on doing things his way after being handed the manager's job at Stourport Swifts permanently.

The former Kidderminster Harriers hero was officially announced as the man to take the hot-seat at Walshes Meadow, after watching Swifts make it four games unbeaten by drawing with Willenhall on Tuesday night.

Davies decided to take the job on permanently after inspiring the side to three wins in a row as caretaker manager and guiding Swifts to eighth in the Southern League Division One Midlands, the highest the league position the club has had in several years.

Davies had been originally offered the job by Swifts chairman Chris Reynolds after previous boss Phil Mullen left, but he only took the job as caretaker first off.

"I wasn't sure about taking the job permanently at first but I've been given free rein to do my own thing and given a lot of help by Chris Reynolds and the committee," said the new manager.

"The results have helped but I have really enjoyed the last two weeks, even though they have been really hectic."

Davies has lifted the team out of the doldrums in recent weeks by thrusting inexperienced young players such as Adam Harris, Chris McComiskey, Alex Lavery and Darren Andrews into the team.

"I'd like to think I picked up some lessons from the managers I've worked under such as Graham Allner and Phil Mullen," said Davies.

"But I wanted to do the job my way from the start and people can see it as brave to select the young guys if they want, but I just thought why not?

"The younger players' enthusiasm has rubbed off on the experienced lads like Mark Wolsey and Scott Stamps and it has given them a lift as well.

"I also had some luck because I won my first game in charge and we have improved since then.

"It was a gamble to bring the younger players in but I liked what I saw of them in training and they have played without fear.

"You can't tell how a young player will react in a real game situation until they are put in one but so far they are doing really well."

Davies' belief in the younger players and motivational skills were the key reasons why he was named manager, believes Reynolds.

"Paul brings great enthusiasm to the roll and is already blooding a lot of the young players, which has made a big difference to the team," commented Swifts chairman.

"We haven't been this high in the table since we first got promoted to the Southern League and hopefully Paul and the team can build on this excellent run."

Stourport face a tricky double-header against struggling Stourbridge next week.

The Glassboys are struggling in the league but come to Walshes Meadow on Saturday buoyed by an impressive 2-1 win over Redditch United in the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Swifts then take on Stourbridge at the Memorial Ground on Tuesday night (7.45pm kick off).

Defender Steve Frost (hamstring) and Craig Webb are injury doubts for the clash.