Sidmouth Town have appointed former Exmouth Town and Barnstaple Town boss Richard Pears as their new manager.

The move comes after the club parted company with former manager Josh Stunell at the end of last season.

Town issued a statement on Tuesday which read: “Sidmouth Town AFC is delighted to announce that Richard Pears has been appointed 1st Team Manager with immediate effect. Richard is an experienced and successful manager and coach with a background in Western League football. He will bring in coaching staff who have played alongside him and who have also played many times for Sidmouth Town. His emphasis will be on blending youth with experience to develop a strong and loyal squad designed to move the club forward and challenge for honours. The chairman and committee are very much looking forward to working with Richard to achieve his and their shared ambitions for Sidmouth Town Football Club.”

The club also released a statement from the new man in charge.

It read: “I am delighted to accept the first team manager’s position at Sidmouth Town Football Club. Sidmouth is a fantastic up and coming club and with four senior teams and a vibrant youth system, I cannot wait to be part of the current management team where there is an ethos of developing and growing local based players to play at the highest level possible. I am also pleased to announce that Kevin Tooze and Gary Carpenter will assist me with all managerial duties and having two energetic, experienced and knowledgeable people around me that have played most of their careers at Western League level is a huge bonus for me and the club. What is clear already is that the club has a brilliant chairman and committee, who have very much made me feel welcome and I cannot wait to get started. My first aim is to retain as many of the current squad as possible and to bring in some experienced players that can also support our local young players. Anyone who knows me, will know that we will have an organised, strong team this year and I have told the club that my aim is to finish in the top six for this season.”

Make sure of your copy of the Sidmouth Herald – out next on Friday (June 15) – for a full interview with the new man in charge of playing matters at Manstone Lane.