GILLINGHAM Town manager Adrian Foster has become the new manager of Frome Town, it was confirmed this lunchtime.

Frome chairman Jeremy Alderman confirmed Foster's appointment after the Gillingham Town website had initially revealed that Foster had left them with immediate effect to take over at the Aldersmith Stadium following the departure of Brian O'Donnell at the weekend.

Alderman told the Wiltshire Times: "“We’ve had our eye on him for a little while and we’re really happy to have things sorted out so quickly.

“We’ve got a young, ambitious manager in now and hopefully he can be with us for years to come.”

Foster told the Gillingham website: "I felt that this was an offer I couldn’t turn down as it is a great opportunity for me to manage at a higher level, which is something I couldn’t do at Gillingham.

"I’m excited at the opportunity but gutted at the same time, as the Gills have been a massive part of my life for the last six years.

"I’m leaving on a high though as the Gills are second in the (Toolstation Premier) league and they are a great group of lads who are playing some good football.”

Gillingham recently shelved plans to apply to join the Calor Southern League for the 2014-15 season.

O'Donnell left the Frome abruptly on Saturday night, hours after the club's Calor League Southern Premier Division trip to Biggleswade Town was postponed.

A short club statement said: "Frome Town have confirmed that they have parted company with manager Brian O'Donnell.

"The club will be making no further statement but wish to thank Brian for his efforts while with the club and wish him well for the future.''

O'Donnell left the club with Frome fourth bottom of the Calor League Southern Premier Division table.

The former Poole Town and Bournemouth Poppies boss was appointed in mid-October after Town had parted company with Derek Graham.

He won just three of his 13 league and cup matches and failed to bring an end to Frome's horror home run, which has seen them fail to win a single one of their ten league games at the Aldersmith Stadium.

MORE ON THIS STORY, INCLUDING MORE FROM FOSTER IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES