FORMER Town midfielder Michael Timlin hopes Roy Hodgson is ‘given a chance’ by supporters to prove his worth in the England job.

Ex-Inter Milan boss Hodgson was yesterday unveiled as the man to lead the Three Lions at Euro 2012, despite Spurs chief Harry Redknapp being the favourite for the role for a long period.

And Southend man Timlin, who crossed paths with Hodgson at Fulham in 2008, says the new national boss should receive full backing from fans.

“It’s one of those that’s going to be tough for him from the start because the fans wanted someone else in place,” said Timlin.

“You’re going to get fans that are annoyed because the FA didn’t get Harry Redknapp, but who’s to say Roy won’t go in there and do really well?

“I think the public have got to give him his chance, he’s got there for a reason - because he’s done very well with West Brom - and I would like to wish him luck.

“He kept Fulham up (in 2007/08) and then took them onto their best-ever season in the Europa League.

“At Liverpool there were probably reasons why he wasn’t successful that people don’t know about, and he ended up doing well again after that.”

Timlin originally met Hodgson midway through the 2007/08 season, when the latter was announced as Lawrie Sanchez’s replacement in the managerial hotseat at Craven Cottage.

The 27-year-old revealed that at the time, he had made the decision to seek first-team football elsewhere, and was grateful that Hodgson helped him achieve that.

“I will always hold a high regard for him, he’s such a lovely man,” continued Timlin.

“When Lawrie Sanchez was at Fulham I didn’t play a lot and I was desperate to get out on loan, but as soon as Roy came in he knew the scenario.

“He was fantastic with me and even said he would help me get to a club in Sweden if I wanted (where Hodgson has coached in the past).

“At that stage I needed to play games and he said he wouldn’t stand in my way if i wanted to leave.”

While Hodgson is often portrayed as the quiet type, Timlin revealed this was purely a mask for a fierce determination to win, and said this would be no different with the England job.

“He’s very polite and intelligent, but I’ve known him lose his temper and he’s not afraid to let people know he’s not happy,” added Timlin. “He’s definitely a manager that doesn’t take things lightly and wants to make sure he does every job really well.”