DAVID Hopkins has been appointed Devizes Town manager on a permanent basis following his stint as caretaker at the end of last season.

Defender Hopkins, pictured, took over as temporary player-boss following Pete Tripp's departure in March.

He guided the beleaguered club to three wins and a draw in their final seven matches.

While that was not enough to save Devizes from finishing bottom of the Screwfix Premier Division, the improved displays convinced the Nursteed Road board that Hopkins is the right man to lead them next term.

Club secretary Roy King confirmed: "We had a few applications but felt we should give Dave a chance because he did so well at the end of the season."

The cash-strapped Kennet club are rumoured to be more than £30,000 in debt, but a playing budget will be made available to Hopkins to is looking forward to the challenge.

"I'm more than happy to take the job on," he said. "Obviously we want to improve on the season we've just had and I'm already looking to bring in five or six players."

Meanwhile, Melksham are yet to appoint a new manager following Robbie Lardner's end-of-season departure.

Interviews are currently being carried out by the Conigre board.

Among those rumoured to be in the running is Chippenham Town's Wembley captain Lee Burns, who recently quit as Bath City Reserves boss.