PHIL Starbuck said he is delighted to become the new manager of Leigh RMI after a successful stint as caretaker boss.

Starbuck was officially named by the Leigh RMI board as the successor to former boss Mark Patterson, who dramatically resigned last month. He will be assisted by player Steve Redmond.

Before Tuesday night's heavy home reverse by Scarborough, the duo had revitalised RMI's fortunes since the departure of Patterson, with a narrow FA Cup defeat against Accrington Stanley and a stunning away win at league leaders Hereford United.

RMI face a trip to Telford United on Saturday (KO 3pm) and host Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm).

And Starbuck said he is looking forward to the tough job which lies ahead, keeping Leigh RMI in the Nationwide Conference.

Delighted

Starbuck said: "I am absolutely delighted to become the new manager, it is a fantastic opportunity for me. It is a tough job but I am certainly up for the challenge. I am looking forward to it.

"We have got to work to a budget like any other club in the Conference but our budget will be one of the smallest in the league. However I will be wheeling and dealing, trying to bring in new players that we can afford. I am always on the phone speaking to contacts and I have people constantly watching potential new players. But I will not be panic buying. The new players have got to be right for Leigh RMI."

The new boss said he was not daunted by the next couple of games which could see RMI pull themselves out of the relegation zone if they get some positive results.

"All the games in the Conference are tough, there are no easy games. But I am a big believer that we should concentrate on ourselves. If we continue to play good football and get the work ethic right, as we have been doing in previous weeks, then we can get the positive results we need.

"I believe we can keep Leigh RMI in the Conference and avoid relegation."

And injuries apart from Tuesday's clash with Scarborough, Starbuck has a full strength squad at his disposal for the games against Telford United and Shrewsbury Town.