DES Bulpin was last night confirmed as Weymouth's new director of Football.

The former QPR, Spurs and Stockport coach has been appointed on a non-contract basis after Fred Davies was dramatically sacked on Monday.

Bulpin, 50, will work alongside Andy Mason who retains his position as Terras player manager.

"I'm delighted to be here", said Somerton-based Bulpin. "This is a big football club, well positioned in what is a tight Dr Martens Premier Division and I will endeavour to help it achieve its ambition of Conference football.

"There are no guarantees in football, but I will be giving as much time as I can and working as hard as I can and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Bulpin, who worked with close friend Gerry Francis at Tottenham and most recently was assistant to Andy Kilner at Stockport, revealed he only took the Terras job after receiving backing from Mason.

He explained: "I've had a long chat with Andy and I think he's a terrific lad. He's definitely a Weymouth boy through and through and I think we'll work very well together.

"I feel it's important to keep certain things going and only once I knew Andy was happy, did I decide to accept the job. He knows this league inside out as both a player and a manager and so together I feel we have plenty to offer."

The FIFA-qualified coach will meet the players for the first time at training this evening and will then get straight down to work preparing for Saturday's visit to Cambridge City.

"I've had a conversation with Andy about the Cambridge game and he's told me what he thinks the side will be. I'll meet the players before training and we'll run through a few things then. I'll also take the opportunity to talk to the captain and some of the senior players and generally get their thoughts and opinions on things.

"After all that I'll sit down with Andy again and see what's what and then it's on with the task of getting ourselves right for Cambridge."

Meanwhile the new man is aware that if promotion is to be gained this season, it will have to be done on the club's existing shoestring budget.

"I know about the financial restraints here", he admitted, "but there are ways round it. I honestly believe this can be a great club again and what we've got to try and do is get the local community on our side. I'll be here Sunday watching the under-11s and under-12s and we've all got to do our bit to get Weymouth back on the map.

"If we get into a situation where we need one or two players to help with the promotion push then I got enough contacts at various clubs to know who I want and to able to make that call to try and bring them here. Whether or not that player comes remains to be seen, but if he doesn't then I'll get back on the phone and try for somebody else.

"League sides want to get their youngsters out playing football and you can be assured that I'll be pushing for them to come here to Weymouth."

Bulpin fact file

(Management/coaching career)

1984-1986: Bristol Rovers: Part-time schoolboys' coach working under Roy Hodgson

1986-1987: Bristol Rovers: Worked with Bobby Gould assisting first team, reserves and youth team

1987-1990: Bristol Rovers: Assistant to manager Gerry Francis

1990-1994: QPR:

Worked under Gerry Francis as youth team manager

1994-1997: Spurs:

Worked under Gerry Francis as youth team manager

1998: Bristol City:

Assistant director of the Football Academy

1999-2001: QPR:

First team coach to Gerry Francis

2001-Feb to Oct: Stockport:

Assistant manager to Andy Kilner

Responsible for developing players such as: Marcus Stewart, Daniel Dichio, Doug Freedman, Stephen Carr, Rory Allen, Peter Crouch.