ALTRINCHAM will have a new name in charge of team affairs next season after deciding not to stick with current managerial duo Matt Doughty and Robbie Lawton.

Doughty threw his hat into the ring after the club invited applications and was hopeful of being kept on after he and Lawton outlined their promotion plans to the board, in the wake of Alty's relegation to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

But the club opted for a clean break and explained their thinking in a statement that read: "After due consideration, the Board of Altrincham Football Club have concluded a fresh start is required for next season and decided, therefore, not to retain Matt Doughty and Robbie Lawton as manager and assistant-manager.

"Both Matt and Robbie have been made aware of the decision, and the club thanks them for their efforts after they were appointed in exceptionally difficult circumstances, initially in a caretaker capacity at the start of December, then for the rest of the season at the turn of the year.

"While performances showed a marked improvement, results unfortunately failed to keep pace, and it was felt the prudent course of action would be to seek a more experienced manager to provide stability and know-how for what will be one of the most critical seasons in the club's history.

"It was a decision that was not taken lightly, given the way Matt and Robbie replicated the same drive and determination they always showed as Altrincham players, but there was general consent among the board that next season was too important for anything to be left to chance and that a candidate with a record of success was needed to spearhead a push for promotion.

"The process of identifying and installing that candidate is well advanced, and the club hope to be in a position to announce an appointment in the next few days.

"In the meantime, everyone at The J.Davidson Stadium wishes Matt and Robbie all the very best in their future careers."

Alty finish their National League North campaign at Tamworth on Saturday.