The Board of Rugby Town Football Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Rod Brown as their new manager.

Rod, 48, takes over at Butlin Road following the departure of previous incumbent Billy Jeffrey, who left the club just before Christmas.

Club Chairman Brian Melvin was delighted to welcome the ex-Redditch and Bromsgrove boss to the Valley helm. He said : "We received a large number of excellent applications for the vacancy, and the standard of the shortlist we interviewed was extremely high. We chose Rod, as we were impressed both by his enthusiasm for the role and the track-record of success he has achieved at this level and higher. "

Brian continued : "Rod also has a good network of contacts within the Midlands non-league football arena, and I'm sure that he will be able to attract the right calibre of player to the club as a result."

Rod played professional football in the Scottish League for Dundee United, Brechin City and Abroath - clocking up more than 150 appearances before moving across the border in the late 1980's, where he played for Gloucester City and Forest Green until injury prematurely ended his playing career in 1991.

He began his managerial career at Halesowen Harriers in 1994, and in the subsequent years has achieved consistent levels of success at his clubs - including five promotions. He led Stourport Swifts into the Southern League in 2000, and then Redditch United into the Conference structure four years later. He took his most recent club - Bromsgrove Rovers - up into the Southern League Premier Division at the end of last season, but left the Victoria Ground in November.

Rod is looking forward to the new challenge at the Town. He said : "From my first visit to the club when I was at Redditch, I was always impressed by the way the people there have conducted themselves. The Directors were always very hospitable and seemed like good people to work with."

Rod is clearly impressed by the Butlin Road set-up. He explained : "The new stand had just been built then, but with the facilities that have been added since, it really is an impressive stadium now, and I believe there is great potential here as a result. I'm looking forward to getting into the job. It's important that we maintain our Premier Division status this year, and provide a foundation to build upon for next season."

He continued : "I'm here because I want to win things, and I believe that I am very professional in the way I carry out my responsibilities - and I expect the same high standards from my players. I will try and create an atmosphere that players will enjoy, but will also expect them to deliver and help move this club forward."

Rod was in the crowd for Rugby's two matches over the festive period against Corby and Banbury, and will be present again at the Halesowen home game prior to taking over officially for his first training session on Tuesday evening.

He said: "Billy [Jeffrey] has built a good young squad that look comfortable on the ball, and hopefully I can get even more from the current squad, and also improve and enhance it with new players within the financial boundaries that have been discussed and agreed with the Board."

Brown is looking to bring in a player-coach to assist him, but also recognised the contribution of Craig Herbert, who has assumed the role of caretaker manager in the interim period. He explained : "Craig is a good player and has done a great job over the past couple of weeks. I will be talking to him in detail ahead of the first training session, and I definitely want him to remain as club captain."

Craig will continue in charge for Valley's home game against Halesowen with Rod taking over formally after Saturday.