DUANE Darby has been appointed the new manager of Cradley Town.

The former Bromsgrove Rovers boss was introduced to the players at Beeches View Avenue last night.

Darby is no stranger to Cradley, having served as assistant boss under Steve Daniels and later Adrian Mander.

He left the Hammers in early December after Mander was sacked. Andy Mole was then appointed manager but lasted just 32 days before leaving for Causeway United earlier this month.

Cradley chairman Trevor Thomas said he was looking forward to working with Darby, a former professional whose long career tooks in spells at Torquay United, Hull City and Notts County among others.

Thomas said: “Duane knows what the club is about having been here twice before.

“Becoming manager is something he was quite keen on.

“We had 19 players turn up on Monday and two or three were missing due to work commitments. Things are looking good.”

Darby has little time to prepare for his first game in charge, as Cradley travel to Coventry Copsewood tonight for a Midweek Floodlit Cup quarter-final tie.