Barton Town have announced that David Ricardo is the new manager of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club.

Ricardo, who left Premier Division rivals Hall Road Rangers earlier this month, will be assisted by Gary Allanson as the Swans look to turn around their season after a slow start that sees them in the bottom two of the table with just four points from their eight games so far.

They take over from Dave Botham and Paul Foot who departed after their Buildbase FA Vase exit at the hands of basement side Clipstone at the weekend.

In his first interview since his appointment, Ricardo told the club's website: "There's a big job to be done but, in terms of potential, the club has huge potential.

"I've known about Barton for over fifteen years through both my playing and managing days, and there's been a big amount of success and great managers at the club - the likes of Carl Stead, Neil Buckley, Dave Anderson, just to name a few.

"It's now a case of this season bringing that success to the table and, for me, taking over at this point this season a success would probably be a top eleven finish that we know is there for the taking.

"There's got to be a lot of hard work throughout the squad in terms of management and the players.

"It looks as though it's definitely sorted off-the-field so we have to get it right on the field.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Dave Botham and Paul Foot, who I know personally very well over the years, playing with and against them.

"They're both great guys and they've put their heart and soul into the club in the last fifteen months or so.

"But now, I think is the time for a change to maximise what's being done off the pitch to make sure that's reflected on the pitch.

"The squad has a lot of potential and there are plenty of changes that need to be implemented as soon as possible but I'm not here to bang heads as it were at this stage, but if things continue as they have been it will require that.

"Along with Gary Allanson on board as the assistant manager, his coaching levels and professionalism are at a fantastic level that we hope to bring through this team."

The pair's first game in charge will be the league trip to Bottesford Town on Wednesday night.