WINSFORD United have a new manager – and they are both convinced they made the right choice.

Joe Gibiliru was appointed on Sunday and he said: ‘As soon as I got to the club I knew I wanted to be part of it.’

And chairman Mark Loveless said: ‘Joe has excellent pedigree and the best CV of all the applicants.

‘He came over so well, has a fantastic record, great contacts and is extremely positive.

‘We had applicants who had been with Conference and UniBond League clubs in various capacities, but none quite fit our requirements. Joe did.’

Gibiliru, who is 45, may not be a name Winsford fans know too well, but he is steeped in North West non-league.

As a player, mostly striker, he started off with Tranmere Rovers before playing with Marine, Prescot Cables, St Helens Town, Mossley, Knowsley, Nantwich Town and Garswood.

While with Knowsley he won the North West Counties League Division One championship, something he aims to repeat as a manager.

He was player manager of Prescot from 1991-93, Lucas Sports 1999-2003 and St Helens from 2003 to the start of last season.

But his main success has come with well known Liverpool Sunday team Nikosia, leading them to two National FA Sunday Cup successes.

He said: ‘There is no reason why Winsford should not be up there with the likes of Marine or Prescot Cables. The potential is good and the chairman and Bob Astles (secretary) sold it to me.

‘They told me what they had done, what they had planned and I wanted straightaway to be part of it.’

Gibiliru quit St Helens nine months ago when the club could not guarantee the weekly budget.

‘I have helped two or three clubs locally since then and watched my son, who plays for Cammell Laird,’ he said.

The new boss will have a better idea of how many of the squad are staying at Winsford – and who is following Chris Willcock to Woodley Sports – on Monday, when he will introduce himself to the players.

He added: ‘They won Division Two and they will have the chance to push for promotion again if they want it. They deserve that much, though I do have three or four players I want to bring in.

‘I have not long finished playing so I know the game from the players side of things and a manager’s point of view and I am keen on discipline.

‘I’ll demand a professional attitude but want the players to enjoy themselves, too.’

Gibiliru is to appoint Frank Duffy, who was been a coach at Burscough and an Everton scout, as his assistant.

United had 15 applications and selected Gibiliru from a shortlist of three.