Widnes Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Joey Dunn, formerly of Warrington Town and latterly Runcorn Linnets, as their new First Team Manager.

Speaking this morning, Joey said: "I am really excited at the challenge ahead for this season, and am hopeful that in terms of developing the team, we can do this quickly, to achieve our short term goals, and hopefully also see more longer term progress over the next few years."

"The club have outlined where they want to see themselves over the next few years and I am looking to be a big influence on that, in terms of what happens on the pitch.

"Personally. I felt that any future appointments in the game for me, after leaving Runcorn Linnets, would need to be something that gave some scope for this kind of development, and the ambitions of the board are firmly in line with such thinking.

"I have had fairly lengthy discussions over the last few days and feel that the alignment of my view of what I wanted to do next was a good fit with those of Widnes FC, so plans to get things off the ground on the pitch are already underway.

"The start to the season has been a tough one and there is no doubt that this league is as tough as its been for as long as I can remember, so there really is no time to waste, we need to start to pick points up and move up the table as quickly as we can.

"I will be looking to add quality in key positions on the pitch and be working hard with the rest of my staff to get the best from a talented bunch already at the club, who probably need an arm round the shoulder and support to get things back on an even keel.

"Change of managers usually causes some unrest in terms of players feeling somewhat responsible, I know i did from my recollections as a player, so it's our job as the staff to look to embrace those negative emotions and channel them into a positive resource on the pitch, to give the players the opportunity to restore their confidence and get back to winning ways.

"Habits are contagious in a footballing sense so we want to get back into the habit of winning as quickly as possible and seek progress throughout the coming months.

"It's nice to be back involved and I would personally like to thank Ian, Dave and the rest of the board members for giving me and my team the opportunity to get on board, for what will hopefully be a long and fruitful relationship in developing a successful football club."

Announcing the appointment, chairman Ian Ross added: "We had so many applications for the post that we were taken aback by the level of interest in the job, and as such we have had some difficult choices to make over the last day or two."

"That said, I feel that we have appointed someone with a proven track record, who’s enthusiasm, drive, experience and professionalism will take this club forward, and we as a board of directors look forward to giving Joey and his team the platform to get a successful side out on the pitch."

Dunn will take charge of his new side for the first time tomorrow at home to Chadderton in the FA Vase.