BRIDGWATER Town have announced Karl Baggaley and Dave Pearse as joint managers as they look ahead to next season in the Toolstation Western League Premier.

Pearse has been in interim charge of the club's first team following the decision to relieve Phil Hucker of his duties, having joined as a player earlier in the season.

He had previously played for the club in 2011/12, winning the Manager and Supporters' Player of the Year Awards.

He has also played for Odd Down, Street, Welton Rovers, Bideford, Tiverton Town and Barnstaple Town.

Baggaley joins the Robins from Barnstaple, where he had been in a similar role alongside Barry Yeo from 2014.

Baggaley and Yeo steered Barnstaple to back-to-back promotions from the Western League First Division, and the club finished 17th in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West this season, comfortably clear of the relegation places.

Baggaley also has management experience at Ilfracombe Town, and his playing career includes spells at Weston-super-Mare, Backwell Utd, Torrington, Ilfracombe, Street and Barnstaple.

A club statement said: "Since being handed the ‘interim’ manager role, Dave has worked hard to improve both team morale and style of play with some success.

"We believe that the duo have the required experience, knowledge and contacts to make us successful in our attempt to establish the club as a force both on and off the pitch and bring further stability to Bridgwater Town FC.

"Likewise, both Karl and Dave are excited by the challenge of working with the club, players, sponsors and fans to ultimately gain promotion from the Western League once more."