THE new man in charge at Lancaster City FC will be former Southport and Stalybridge Celtic star Phil Wilson.

Wilson was named on Wednesday as the successor to Tony Hesketh - beating a field of more than 20 applicants for the Giant Axe post.

The club's commercial manager Cora Patel says: "Phil's record as a manager in the Conference and Unibond League speaks for itself. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer the club and is well respected in the game."

Fourteen people were interviewed to take over from Hesketh, who has gone to Southport as assistant to manager Mike Walsh.

The club says there were a few household names among the applicants - ex-Premier league players wanting to make the break into management.

Ms Patel says: "It was an honour to have some of these guys applying to manage City, but at the end of the day this next season is a critical one for the club. The Conference is being restructured and we want to be in a strong position by the end of next season - and Phil Wilson has a proven record."