Montrose have appointed Ray Farningham as their manager for the next two years.
Farningham took over on a caretaker basis when Steven Tweed stepped down as boss last month.
Now, Montrose chairman Derek Sim and the rest of the club’s board have installed Farningham and his assistant Stuart Garden on a permanent basis.
“We are all delighted that Ray has signed a two-year contract until May 2013,” said Sim. “With the end of the season approaching, we were very mindful of contracts coming up for renewal and we wanted a settled management team in place to reassure players at the club.
“Ray will also now be able to sit down and choose potential signing targets for next season.
“The board have been impressed by Ray’s vision and attitude to the way the game should be played.Ideas”He has a lot of positive ideas for the next campaign and the board were very comfortable appointing him on a permanent basis.”
Sim admitted the board’s decision was also influenced by the last two results a win over Elgin City (Montrose’s first victory in six matches) and a draw away to Clyde.
“We have had a couple of positive results which have produced a good feeling around the club and we feel we are playing good football,” he said.
“To be fair, although some of the results under Steven and when Ray took over as caretaker were not the best, we thought the team were still playing well albeit without hitting the back of the net.
“But we got a goal against Elgin to secure a win and then we picked up a good draw at Clyde. Hopefully, we can continue that promising form during what is left of the season.”
While the club’s search for a new manager has ended they are on the lookout for a physio to replace Craig Smith.
The RAF Leuchars man has been posted to Cyprus for three years and Sim said, “We wish Craig all the very best for the future. He was really popular at the club and was a great fitness coach as well as a physio.
“We are now seeking a replacement and we would ask potential candidates to contact the club.”