FORMER Clevedon Town manager Mickey Bell has been named as the new boss of Weston Football Club.

Bell has signed a one-year contract with the Seagulls, four months after leaving the club’s main rivals.

The 42-year-old replaces Craig Laird who resigned earlier this month after feeling he would be unable to put together a competitive team on the reduced playing budget afforded to him by the club’s board.

The board issued a statement this afternoon (Thurs), confirming the former Bristol City defender’s appointment, as the head coach.

It said: “Mickey is a great addition to the management of the first team at the club. His understanding and willingness to work within the club structure was important to us to ensure that the club can continue to drive on in the same direction.

“His vision for football here is the same as ours and he has plenty of great contacts that we can use more effectively at Conference level than he could previously in the Southern League.”

The statement said the club is now looking to recruit players to the first team squad following a host of departures.

Kane Ingram and Lloyd Irish announced plans to leave Weston soon after Laird’s exit and this week three more regulars left to join Bath City.

Ashley Kington, the players’ player of the year, Chaz Hemmings and Martin Slocombe all headed north to sign for Bath.