DENIS Underwood has been appointed the new manager of Nelson FC.

He replaces former boss John Bailey who was sacked from his Victoria Park post two weeks ago, after over three years in the job.

And the former Clitheroe chief can't wait to step into his new role: "I'm looking forward to it a lot.

"I've been involved in non-league football for 26 years up until the end of last season, so I've had a nice little break.

"I don't know much about the squad, but I read the papers and I've been keeping in touch with all the non-league football in the region.

"And to be honest, I'm raring to go."

After taking charge of a struggling team from the off in his previous job at Great Harwood, Underwood knows that his predecessor at Nelson has assembled something special.

This time, his new club have a wealth of local talent, and once he gets to know the squad, Underwood knows he will have a good squad at his disposal.

He said: "John Bailey assembled a good set of local talent at this club and it's up to me to take up the reins of his team.

"I'll get to know the lads for a few weeks, play a few games and if I like what I see then there'll be no reason to change anything. But if I have to, then I know I can do.

"I still have a lot of contacts at Clitheroe, at Great Harwood and numerous other clubs around the leagues.

"There might be players ringing me saying they want to play for Denis Underwood, and I'll have to take that on board.

"I made a lot of friends at those clubs, and there's a lot of people that wouldn't mind working with me again.

"So we'll have to see what happens."

Saturday's game against Bacup Borough will see assistant manager Ian Lang take charge of team affairs, as he has for the past few matches.

But Underwood will be eased in gently, as he gets to know his squad in the coming weeks.

He said: "Ian Lang will take charge of Saturday's game and hopefully I'll be fed in slowly in terms of taking over team affairs.

"Ian and Dave (Hall) will still help me as assistant managers, but I'll be getting more and more involved as the weeks go on."

As manager of Clitheroe, Underwood's greatest achievement was undoubtedly guiding the Blues to the FA Vase Final in 1996, eventually losing to Brigg Town at Wembley.

He also finished as runner-up to Bradford Park Avenue in the North West Counties League First Division, with Clitheroe promoted by default before the Yorkshire club were re-instated.

And that season sticks in his memory: "We were clear at the top and told we would be promoted anyway.

"They had to win their last seven games to pip us, but we were told they couldn't go up anyway.

"But they did win them all, and they did go up!

"But that was a blessing in disguise, because we wouldn't have had our run in the Vase the next season, and got to Wembley.

"So it evened itself out.

"But I'm hoping to bring the same success to Nelson.

"I've a lot of contacts in football, and it'll take me time to get to know everyone.

"But once I do then it'll be all systems go."

Nelson chairman Alan Pickering is relishing the prospect of having a new manager with fresh ideas on board at Victoria Park.

And he is more than looking forward to working with the former Clitheroe chief: "Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him.

"And I myself am excited about it, I think him and Ian will work well together.

"Ian will take charge for tomorrow's game but it will be Denis's job after that.

"His experience is crucial, as he's played over 600 games in his career and managed at First Division level before.

"So hopefully he can bring all his knowledge to Nelson's cause."