RAMSBOTTOM chairman Harry Williams insists new boss Chris Willcock will be given time to get his message across to the players.

The former Rams striker was named as Mark Fell's replacement on Thursday and took charge of his first game on Saturday, a 2-2 draw with Chasetown.

Ramsbottom are back in action in the Evo-Stik West tonight when they travel to Widnes, but it remains a 'work in progress' for Willock and Williams.

"You can't read much into his first game. He only got the job on Thursday morning, he didn't have much chance to get everything together, it was just a matter of putting a time out," said Williams.

"We're not a firing club, we give people a chance to get their point over to the players, it's a work in progress for us.

"We just need to get back to winning ways, we've had a few too many draws and losing leads recently."

Willcock played for Ramsbottom between 2000 and 2002 and his familiarity with the club was important for Williams, with the Rams keen to act quickly once Mark Fell departed for Lancaster City.

"He played for us for a couple of years. He knows how we operate and how we're run, which is half the battle. He's a winner as well," he said.

"As far as the club was concerned we had to act pretty fast because we lost the manager, assistant manager and physio in a short space of time, so it was important we get someone in as quickly as possible."

Willcock has managed at Glossop North End, Winsford United, Mossley, Woodley Sport and Stocksbridge Park Steel and was most recently in charge at Shaw Lane, winning 12 of 15 games before the club resigned from the Evo-Stik Premier.

"He did very well at Shaw Lane and it was build on sand that place, so it shows good work from a manager to be getting some good results while there's uncertainty off the pitch," said Williams.

"He was out of work, he's been done quite a lot watching us. It's a chance for a fresh start.

"We've got to try and push on. Mark Fell was a fantastic worker for the club, you can't fault him, but results didn't go his way a lot of the time."

Elsewhere in Evo-Stik West tonight Colne are in the road at Kendal Town, while Barnoldswick Town are in action in the West Riding County Cup first round, with Silsden the visitors to the Silentnight Stadium.