REAL Thornbury FC have appointed their first official club manager after an extraordinary general meeting which was extremely well attended by all players.

The board have asked Ian Barton to be the manager, and this is a big step for the club which will give them a huge boost in their Bristol and District Senior Division promotion bid.

It was also decided at the meeting that the club will run a reserve team to compete in the Bristol and District divisions from next season.

Club stalwart Tom Miller will take a step down from first team duties to run the side.