Ramsbottom United have moved quickly to appoint former FC United assistant boss David Chadwick as manager following the departure of Lee Donafee earlier this week.

Donafee left the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium with Rammy rooted to the foot of NPL West and Chadwick will now be given the task of trying to avoid relegation.

Chadwick is regarded as something of a club legend at FC United, the no-nonsense defender spent most of his playing career at the club since its formation in 2006 - making 211 appearances in the red shirt, notching 24 goals.

Upon retiring from playing, the 45-year-old moved into the club’s coaching set-up and remained there until the beginning of this season.

Chairman Harry Williams is delighted to welcome the new boss to the club.

“We wish David all the best,” he said.

“He came over very well in the interview and I expect his no-nonsense attitude to gel well with the players and everyone here at Ramsbottom.

“He knows he has a difficult short-term task ahead of him, but has the belief that he can take the club forward in a positive and successful manner.”

Chadwick says he is looking forward to the challenge ahead - starting at Skelmersdale United on Saturday.

He said: “Ramsbottom United is a great club and after meeting them you can see it has not lost it’s passion for football.

“I’d be a fool not to try and help them get to where they want to be, and I’m looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead”

Donafee joined the Rams in October 2018, initially as assistant manager before taking charge several years later following Chris Willock’s departure.

Williams said Donafee was a ‘model pro’ throughout his stay at the club but felt they had no other option heading into the business stage of the season.

“Lee has been part of the set-up here at Ramsbottom for five years, during which time he has also become a firm friend,” he said.

He said: “We gave him as much time as we could in the hope that he could turn around the poor results but we felt that we had no other option than to look elsewhere, in the hope that a new appointment could bring about a change of fortune.

“Lee has been a model pro during his time with us, and we are genuinely sorry to have to part ways, and we sincerely wish him well for the future. He will always be welcomed back at Ramsbottom.”