GORNAL Athletic have named Lee Wood as the club's new manager.

Wood arrives at Garden Walk following spells coaching at youth level at Stourbridge and Lye.

The Uefa B Licence holder has also named Adam Kirkby as his assistant as the Peacocks head into the new West Midlands Premier League Division One campaign.

The duo have been brought in following the departure of former boss Brendon Wilkinson last week.

Wilkinson was appointed at the start of June to replace last season's manager Matt Fisher but then stepped down without taking charge of a single game due to health issues.

Wilkinson had already started his pre-season preparations before an on-going back problem became more severe.

That has opened the door for Wood to lead Gornal's push for promotion in the 2018/19 season.

Chairman Lee Farrington was pleased to get a new management team in at short notice.

He said: "It did come as a bit of a shock that Brendon had to leave but we are pleased that we have got Lee and Adam on board.

"We looked at a number of CVs but they both really stood out. They have the coaching ability to be able to help us.

"We have lost a week but hopefully they can settle in now and start looking at the squad.

"The aim is still to try and get promotion this season but we do need to give them time as well."

Meanwhile, Wilkinson was disappointed not to be able to stay in the role.

He said: "I'm gutted to be honest. It was a big chance for me to manage in Saturday football and everything was going really well.

"It's a problem I've had for years. I've got spondylitis but it has got worse and I'm on pain killers and need to have a scan. I had no choice but to step down for health reasons."