KEVIN Keen has made a promise to Macclesfield Town's faithful fans - they will see football, football, football.

The 34-year-old midfielder has been put in temporary charge of the Silkmen following Gil Precott's resignation as manager last week.

And he instantly showed his intent - picking an attacking team that beat Bristol Rovers 2-0 in his first game in charge.

For a man brought up in the proud West Ham tradition, such an approach comes naturally. And he feels the East End club has that philosophy in common with Macc.

East End influence

He said: ''West Ham was, and is, a great family club. The youth team manager at the moment is Tony Carr, who was youth team manager when I was a kid there 18 years ago.

''He is a super coach and encourages the young lads to play the game the right way. You can see the effects through the players he has helped to produce down the years, the likes of Tony Cottee, myself, Steve Potts, Paul Ince, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick.

''They like to play the game with one-touch, two-touch passing football, the way it should be played.

Keen is aware of the influence a manager has on his players - especially the youngsters.

He said: ''My time at West Ham in my formative years was very important, under John Lyall and Billy Bonds, in terms of my football values.

''But you pick up bits and pieces from everyone you play under along the way. I have a lot of respect for Brian Little and Gary Megson and the way they went about things - two completely different styles.''

Rare breed

It is a brave step for Macclesfield and for Keen as they seek a replacement for Prescott. Player-managers are a rare breed these days as the pressures on the man in charge seem to grow season by season.

Andy Preece at Bury - who has been out injured so far this season and Andy Hessenthaler, of Gillingham, were the only two Keen could think of apart from himself.

''It's been quite hectic, but I'm enjoying it,'' he said. ''I have been getting a lot of help from John Askey, who has been at the club a long time, and the players have been excellent.

''It hasn't really affected the way I play. As soon as that whistle goes, I am a player, no more. I have found myself looking round at things a little more, but you really have to concentrate on your own game."

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