DARWEN have appointed former player Steve Mullen as their new manager.

Chairman Kath Marah said: "The calibre of the applicants for the job was extremely high, and we have confidence in Steve's ability to take the club forward."

Mullen said: "I want to put back into Darwen what Darwen gave to me at the start of my career."

Mullen, who has recently been manager at Feniscowles, started his playing career at Darwen under manager Ian McGarry.

McGarry has said that Mullen was 'the best non-league player that he had ever managed' and his previous clubs include Clitheroe, Bury, Great Harwood and Accrington Stanley.

He replaces previous boss Steve Wilkes, who left at the end of last season to take charge of Padiham.