The Eagles have gone for a pair of familiar faces following Wednesday night's appointment of Mick Watson and Andy Patterson as the new management team.

Watson, who is a former Eccleshill player and managed Thackley's reserve team, will be the man in charge at Plumpton Park, replacing his namesake Steve.

His assistant Patterson was a youthful striker for Bradford City, making regular appearances in the Premier Division Reserve League during the Bantams' two-season stay with the big boys.

United secretary Paul Jarvis said: "Mick comes to us from Tyersal where he was first-team manager last season and, of course, Andy needs no introduction as he was our reserves' and academy manager last term."

Watson said: "I'm extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to manage at this level and we hope that we can take the club forward to where myself, Andy and the club feel they belong."

Patterson said: "I'm thankful to previous manager Steve Watson for giving me the chance to manage last season which has given me the confidence to step up and apply for the job along with Mick."

Jarvis thanked the other eight unsuccessful applicants for their time and consideration.

The secretary added that it was never a cut-and-dried decision.

"It was not a unanimous vote by the committee, the discussions went on late into the evening, but now the decision has been made, everyone is fully behind the new pairing," said Jarvis.

"It was no reflection of the ability of Mick and Andy - more a testament to the qualities of the other candidates. Also some people felt it would be better to appoint someone with no links to the club, to have a clean break.

"Personally, I think we have the best of both worlds with this pairing. Mick has been away and brings a lot of different ideas while Andy knows all there is to know about the current state of the club and the players coming through."