Lambert succeeds Tony Dolby in the hot seat at the Ryman League Premier Division club.

Former Millwall man Dolby stepped down last week and the main reason he gave for his decision was the strain of travelling from his Chislehurst home.

Lambert is a well-known and popular figure on the local football scene, and was caretaker manager for a couple of games prior to Dolby's appointment in January.

He took charge of United's reserve team last summer and guided them to a top five finish in Reserve Section Premier of the Sussex County League.

They also won the Hastings & District FA Intermediate Cup and reached the semi-finals of the Sussex County FA Intermediate Cup.

Lambert's willingness to give youth a chance could be vital over the coming months given that last season's first team squad seems to be rapidly disintegrating.

Ade and Tim Olorunda, plus highly regarded goalkeeper Lee Worgan look like joining fellow Ryman Premier outfit Tonbridge Angels.

Lower league Ashford Town are also looking to bring in a series of new faces with one of the targets rumoured to be Sam Adams, Hastings' leading scorer last season.

Tim Olorunda admitted it was 99 per cent likely he would be leaving and chairman Dave Walters was resigned to Hastings being without the influential brothers next season.

"We've lost Tim and Ade which is very disappointing," he said. "My understanding is they are going to Tonbridge which is a blow."

Walters went on: "I have been talking with Ade at length on numerous occasions over the past week and we have done everything financially possible to try to keep him. He has had a very good offer from us."

Striker Ade Olorunda, 25, bagged 15 goals last season and his bustling all-action style impressed a number of clubs, while 23-year-old Tim has become a fixture in the heart of the Hastings midfield.

Former Wimbledon and Wales under-21 goalkeeper Worgan has been nothing short of a revelation since joining the club early in the 2006-07 campaign.

As well as trying to keep the current squad together, Walters has been sounding out possible signings. "I have been talking to quite a few players, not just our players but new ones. Quite a number have got Conference South experience and I've been in contact with one of the boys released by Brighton," he said.

Hastings have lined up a pre-season friendly away to Burgess Hill Town on Tuesday July 29.