WINSFORD United have confirmed the management team that will take them forward into next season.

Dean Jones and Dom Johnson, both of whom are from the local area, have been announced as Blues’ new co-managers and are tasked with – in their own words – “waking a sleeping giant.”

The pair are the long-term replacements for Lee Duckworth, who resigned after nine years in the job in March with senior player Josh Hine taking charge of the final six games of the season as the club finished 17th in the North West Counties League First Division South.

Jones and Johnson were most recently in charge of divisional rivals Alsager Town, who finished 14th this season.

However, they are excited to take the chance to lead their local club into a new era.

“This club is a sleeping giant and we are delighted to have the opportunity to be the management team who can wake it up and bring real pride back to our hometown football club,” Jones said.

“I hope the town can get behind us and be a part of this exciting new chapter.”

Johnson added: “The main selling point for coming to Winsford United was the vision from the new board and committee to improve the club and facilities, which will work alongside results on the pitch.”

The new board Johnson mentions took over the running of the club in January, with chairman Mike Unwin, vice-chairwoman Georgina Smith and treasurer Sean Dooley taking seats on the board alongside secretary Michael Dawson.

And Unwin said Jones and Johnson “ticked all the boxes” when it came to what they wanted from their on-field management.

“From our first meeting with Dean and Dom, it was clear that their ambitions aligned with ours and that having them on board was the right decision,” he said.

“With both lads being locals and bringing local talent back to Winsford United, for me this ticked all the boxes.”