Penrith Football Club have appointed Jim Nichols as their new manager.

Nichols, who previously had been the Bonny Blues' assistant manager, was appointed caretaker manager for the Northern League, Division One fixture at Ashington AFC on Tuesday after Mark Birch resigned earlier that day.

Birch had resigned as Penrith AFC manager on Tuesday - less than a week after taking the job.

In a club statement, the ex-Stoke City defender said he would be concentrating on his work with Carlisle United’s Academy - where he is an Academy Foundation Phase lead coach - but was “flattered” to have been offered the job.

The former Kendal Town, Newcastle Blue Star and Northwich Victoria man will take charge of his first match tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick-off) when Penrith welcome Durham City to Frenchfield Park in an FA Vase first qualifying round tie.

Having stepped in at Penrith's time of need, chairman Brian Williams had praised Nichols earlier this week.

Williams said: "We have a stalwart at the club in Jim Nichols.

"He is in the manager’s position at the minute and wants to make the job his own.

"We have an FA Vase game tomorrow [against Durham City] that he is preparing for.”

Nichol's first Northern League fixture in charge of the club will also be at Frenchfield Park next Wednesday when they host 2016 FA Vase winners Morpeth Town (7.30pm kick-off).