Peter Taylor has been appointed as manager of Stevenage Borough, the Blue Square Premiership side.

The former England Under-21 coach, who had one game as caretaker manager of senior national team, has signed a contract that will keep him at the non-league club until the end of the 2008/09 season.

Taylor was sacked by Crystal Palace last month and replaces Mark Stimson, who resigned two weeks ago. Steve Butler has been named as his assistant.

Phil Wallace, the Stevenage chairman, said, “I’ve done nothing else for almost a week other than work on the managerial position, but it was worth it to get Peter on board. This is a Championship appointment in the Conference and shows our desire to compete for promotion this season and next.

“It wasn’t easy persuading Peter that this was a great career move for him, but he’s seen the potential of the club, likes the look of the stadium, the facilities, the board and relishes the challenge. This is breathtaking news for the town of Stevenage.”

Stevenage hope that Taylor, 53, will repeat the success he had leading Gillingham, Brighton and Hull to promotion.

“Peter also brings a wealth of experience and contacts to Stevenage,” Wallace said. “He’s managed at the very highest level possible by managing the full England team and has also managed at every level of the game.

“It was a shock when Mark walked out but we promised the fans that we would use this to go up a gear and we’ve delivered that with this appointment.

“It’s only about the future now and we’re only looking forwards. There are no guarantees in football, but our young players will love working with Peter and that’s a great start”

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