Goole AFC have announced that Mike Carmody has become the new manager of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division club.

Carmody will be joined in the dugout by assistant Alan Jackson to resume a partnership that had recently been at Division One side Armthorpe Welfare.

They replace Mark Pitts and Simon Portrey who have left the Vikings as the club look to substantially reduce operating costs in the wake of restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman Alan Wilson said: "For the club to survive on a reduced playing budget, it has to adopt a more localised approach, attracting players with reduced travelling costs.

"The club felt that Mark and Simon, who are based in Leeds, did not have the necessary 'local contacts' to satisfy our 'survival' policy which has to be implemented immediately due to the critical nature of our financial situation.

"We thank Mark and Simon for their commitment to the team and the club throughout what has been an extremely difficult time."

Carmody has said that, after a short break, he and Jackson are ready to return, saying in a statement: "At present, Goole AFC is very much in a similar position club wise to where Armthorpe Welfare was when I stepped into the role as manager and I believe we have the tools necessary for the challenge that awaits us.

"We are under no illusions to the size of the challenge but feel that if we can create a positive environment for players, fans and volunteers to come together then there won’t be many clubs bigger than Goole AFC in the Northern Counties East League.

"The fan base that Goole have had over the years has been second-to-none and we are going to need them back through the gate and hopefully they will be rewarded with some exciting football.

"From experience as a player and manager, Goole has always been a tough place to get a result and we hope to keep that tradition.

"It’s no secret the club has had its troubles of late but that’s something beyond our control. We, as a management team, are focused on doing everything we can to put the club back to its standing within the community and recreate that buzz the team once had.

"My hope is that we as a club can come together and really create something our fans can all be proud of.

"Players will be asked to buy in to our philosophy and work ethic and if they do I can assure them they will enjoy every minute.

"The team has already been strengthened with some welcome additions and I'm sure there'll be more that will be brought in to enhance the players already here not replace.

"Come the restart of the league, whenever that may be, we will be ready."