SALISBURY City have appointed Darrell Clarke as their new player-manager, with Mikey Harris as his number two.

The pair had been in temporary charge of the team since the departure of Tommy Widdrington to Southend United at the start of pre-season.

But the club moved to make their positions permanent at a press conference on Wednesday morning, after rejecting more than 30 applications for the post from a number of highly-experienced candidates.

Speaking after his appointment, Clarke said: “I’d like to thank the board of directors for giving Mikey and I the opportunity to manage the football club.

"We were part of Tommy's team last season so what we lack in experience is gained elsewhere.

"Our job has been getting the boys mentally and physically ready for the new season. Morale has been good and we have got new signings coming in.

“The two of us are looking forward to bringing success to the club and getting us back to where we belong.”

Clarke will still be a key part of the playing staff, but has been relieved of the captaincy. Chris Giles takes over, with fellow centre half Jamie Turley as vice captain.

"I will be massively involved on the playing side of things," said Clarke.

"Mikey will be seeing things from the sidelines while I'm on the pitch."

Clarke, 32, started out at his hometown club Mansfield Town before moving to Hartlepool United. Loan spells with Stockport County, Port Vale and Rochdale followed before he joined the Whites in 2007, ahead of their debut season in the Blue Square Premier.

The midfielder has made 134 appearances and scored 14 times for the club, and he is also the club's Football in the Community officer.

Club chairman William Harrison-Allan explained the decision: "In the end we decided to give youth a chance. The boys have been here and put the squad together so we have gone with what we know.

"Part of their written presentation to the board was about Football in the Community.

"Clubs such as Salisbury need everybody involved, from under-nines upwards. We are not Manchester United, we are a non-league football club and we need everybody on our side.

"They know exactly how Tommy operated so in our opinion nothing has changed.

"It's been a challenging time with two managers leaving, but we are excited about the future now."

The chairman also confirmed that Paul Fredericks has been brought onto the board as chief executive after a consultancy period, and he recognised the work of commercial manager Ken Wilde and his team in securing new sponsorship in recent weeks.

"I would also like to mention the supporters club who have been brilliant with the work they have done for us and what they are proposing to do," he added.

"They have been through a lot but they have stayed pretty true to us."