Newly-formed Witney United have been given a massive boost after Brian Hughes confirmed he will manage the side when they start life in 2002/03.

Hughes, who was Witney Town's boss until the club folded, has told the Witney United committee that, barring any unexpected job offers, he will be in charge for their first game the season after next.

It is good news for the new club, who held a meeting on Wednesday night to discuss a variety of issues, the main one being where the team are going to play.

But it was the announcement by Hughes which brought the biggest cheer.

"It's a massive coup for the club," said supporters' group chairman Mark Reid.

"Brian's word is as good as any you can get, and he has told us that unless he is offered the job of Prime Minister, he will be our manager."

Hughes said it was not a tough decision to make.

"I've always had a friendship and a bond with them and I like them, they're good people, so I thought about it and decided, 'yeah, I'll have a go at that'," he said.

"I'll stay in football in some capacity. There are a couple of little jobs around me in Gloucester that I might have a dabble with for nine or 12 months, but we'll have to see.

"I'm an old Cheltenham player and I was sort of hoping that if the wind blew in the right direction, I might get in on their academy.

"But I don't think the break will do me any harm at all after the time I've just had with Witney."

Meanwhile, United are trying to arrange meetings with other local clubs to discuss ground sharing.

One suggestion has been that the club could move back to Witney Town's old stadium at Marriotts Close, but council leader Barry Norton said that was out of the question for the moment.