Warren Feeney playing for AFC Bournemouth _(Image: Mark Cunningham)_
WEYMOUTH have announced former AFC Bournemouth forward Warren Feeney as their new first team manager.
The news comes just days after the club's dismal second half performance against Hemel Hempstead.
Feeney will take the reigns at the Dorset coast after Jason Matthews stepped in on an interim basis following Mark Molesley's sacking at the end of November.
During Matthews most recent time in charge the club lost 1-0 to Tonbridge Angels before an historic win away to Yeovil in the FA Trophy and the weekend's defeat to the Tudors.
Feeney has managerial experience at Linfield, in Northern Ireland and League Two experience with Newport County, as well as working as an assistant manager to Harry Kewell at both Crawley Town and Notts County, also in League Two.
He also spent time in charge of Ards, also in Northern ireland and Bulgarian second division side OFC Pirin Blagoevgrad.
His most recent spells in the dugout include just over a year with Welling United where he took the London-based club to 16th in the National League South during the 2022/23 season, and as manager of Glentoran until March 2024.
His playing career also saw the Northern Irish international win 46 caps for his country and has played at clubs including AFC Bournemouth, Cardiff, Swansea and Plymouth.
The club's board confirmed they went through a 'thorough selection process' which included more than 25 applicants.
A club statement released on its website said: "After a thorough selection process, we are delighted to announce that Warren Feeney has been appointed as the Weymouth Football Club First Team manager, effective immediately.
"Warren will conduct his first training session with the squad this week.
"We received over 25 applications and interviewed 6 candidates for the role. The board was overwhelmingly in favour of appointing Warren, and we are excited to have him join us.
"The high standard and quality of applicants is a testament to the club’s appeal, and we wish Warren every success.
"Our primary mission is to remain in the National League South, and the board will support Warren in every possible way to achieve this goal.
"Looking beyond survival, our medium-term objective is for Weymouth Football Club to once again compete for league titles and push for promotion.
"However, we are committed to achieving success sustainably."