Two games, two wins and a place in the top six of National League North; it’s been a very good few days for Gloucester City.

New manager Steven King has hit the ground running since replacing Lee Mansell and there’s genuine optimism among the club’s fanbase as they look forward to the visit of lowly Farsley on Saturday.

The 2-1 success at Alfreton Town at the weekend followed a thrilling 3-2 victory over Southport seven days earlier; results that have raised the excitement levels at a club who are looking to reach the top tier of non-league football for the first time in their 139-year history.

King, who took Dartford to the National League South play-off finals three seasons in a row, has a proven track record as a manager and, as you’d expect, is very ambitious.

The 53-year-old has a full-time contract with Gloucester until the end of next season and he told The Local Answer: “The aim this season is to do as well as we can and by the end of next season I want us to be in the play-offs.

“I always say to anyone who asks that my aim is to get any club I manage into the end-of-season play-offs. Every club I’ve been at I’ve reached them, won promotions and cup competitions.”

He also took Macclesfield Town, who were flying high in the top tier of non-league football, into the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in their history in 2013 where they lost to eventual winners Wigan Athletic.

King, who lives in Eastbourne, moved into football management at a young age after retiring as a player when he was 24.

The one-time winger started out as youth team boss at Dulwich Hamlet, made an instant impact by winning the league and cup double, and was soon promoted to assistant manager at the club.

But it wasn’t long before he wanted to be the man in charge, so he went to Lewes where he enjoyed remarkable success, winning three promotions in five years, including the Conference South title with two further play-offs, although the club were unable to play in those play-offs due to ground grading issues.

It was a similar story at Farnborough as he won the Southern League to get them into National League South where they finished runners-up, which in turn earned a place in the place-offs.

At Whitehawk he made club history by coming third in National League South – their highest ever position – as they reached the play-off final and he also took them to the second round of the FA Cup for the first time.

At Welling he again made the National League South play-offs after winning 50 points at home for the first time in the club’s history before losing to Woking in the final. He also helped the club win the London Cup for the first time in 30 years.

He joined Dartford in October 2019 when they were fifth from bottom, but after an incredible run of 50 points out of 66, he took them to the play-off finals where they lost on penalties.

They were second in his second season when Covid brought an early end to the campaign and in his third season he got them to the play-offs again before losing on penalties. He also won back-to-back Kent Cups so it’s no wonder he says he was “surprised” when the club parted company with him at the end of last season.

So what has been the secret of his success?

“Hard work,” he said. “I watch over 100 games a year, knowledge is power. The more knowledge you’ve got, the better.

“I watch an awful lot of players. Over the years I’ve sold 31 players, they’re worth millions. 

“I’m good at finding players. For me, recruitment is the biggest part of the game no matter what the level.”

King has certainly got an eye for talent having worked with the likes of Solly March, who is now with Brighton, West Brom’s Jed Wallace and Joe Ralls of Cardiff.

Former Norwich and Scotland captain Russell Martin, now head coach at Swansea, was at Lewes during King’s early days at the club but while having good players is key, they’ve still got to be moulded into a team, of course.

And King has clear ideas about how he likes his teams to line up.

“I like a strong back four,” he said. “Physical, with height and size, and full-backs that get up and down, so important to the team.

“My favourite shape is 4-3-3. I like flexibility within the group, I like three different types of midfielders in there and then let the three up front cause problems. 

“I like to play open, expansive, good football. I don’t restrict my players, I tell them I’ve signed them to go out and express themselves.”

That’s what players – and supporters – like to hear, of course, and King, who has an apartment in Gloucester, isn’t going to stray from those beliefs any time soon.