BRIDPORT have appointed John Godbold as their new manager.

Godbold replaces Jamie Manley and Kevin Leigh, who left the Bees last week with Bridport having lost eight of nine league games this season.

Formerly a Chelsea and Wimbledon player, Godbold arrives at St Mary's Field for his second spell following a stint as assistant to Bob Russell in 2003.

Bees' chairman Adrian Scadding said: "I'm delighted that we've been able to appoint John as our new manager, and we're all looking forward to the resumption of the league campaign under his leadership at the end of the current lockdown."

Chief among Godbold's tasks will be building an upturn in fortunes for the West Dorset side.

Bridport are currently 20th of 21 sides in the Toolstation Western League Premier Division.

Since the end of the 2018/19 season, Bridport have won just five times in 44 competitive matches.

UEFA A Licence coach Godbold was most recently working in Qatar for Spectrum Academy and has also coached Crystal Palace and QPR.

In 2012, Godbold linked up with Indian League side Shillong Lajong to run football camps for under-13s and has coached in the USA and Singapore.

Dorset clubs have also come calling for Godbold, who has undertaken roles at both Weymouth and Dorchester Town's academies plus Redlands and Shaftesbury.