STEVE Shaughnessy is the new man in the Winsford United hot seat.

Shaughnessy has taken over as manager at Barton Stadium following Kevin Tully's sudden departure from the club last Thursday.

Tully was given the job in September 1999, following Mark Came's sacking, but endured a nightmare season as the Blues were relegated from the UniBond Premier Division.

His 11-month reign came to an end by mutual consent, leaving Shaughnessy with the task of reviving Winsford's fortunes in UniBond One this term.

New Blues director and football coach Mark Cox said that despite another week of upheaval, the mood at the club is upbeat with the new season just 10 days away.

Cox said: "Everything is going on full steam ahead.

"Kevin had some personal problems and he was released by mutual consent last Thursday.

"He's had a lot of things going on with his business in Manchester and with moving house, and because of that more work was being put on myself and others involved with the club.

"Steve has now taken over on a full-time basis. He has a lot of north west football experience and he's his own man, and we're sure he's the right man for the job."

Popular striker Shaughnessy has had a brief taste of management at Barton Stadium once before.

Following Dalton Steele's departure last year, Shaughnessy, who was then assistant manager, took over in a caretaker capacity for just one game before turning down the position on a permanent basis and instead following Steele to Chorley.

But Shaughnessy returned to Barton Stadium as a player at the end of January this year and now he faces the difficult task of halting what has been an alarming slide for the club over the past year.

Shaughnessy's first games in charge will be this week's two friendlies at Barton Stadium, against Maine Road tonight, Wednesday (7.30pm) and Oldham Athletic on Friday (7pm).

Midfielder Dave Lowe has joined the Blues from Trafford and contract negotiations are ongoing with all the current playing staff.

Cox explained: "We are putting together a wage structure which will enable us to go out and win the league, but at the same time we don't want to go too far. We have to be realistic and come up with something workable.

"But under Malcolm Gaskill and Mark Loveless, things have settled down at boardroom level.

"They have come in to help the club push forward and they are always down at the club doing what they can to help, even brushing up and touching up the paintwork.

"With only two weeks to the start of the new season, it's a case of all hands to the pumps!"

The Blues are currently on the lookout for a new training base.

The players have been training at Egerton Youth Club in Knutsford but are hoping to switch to a venue in Winsford as soon as possible.

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