DAWLISH Town football Club have been taken over.

Two consortiums, one four-man syndicate from Dawlish and the other, a group of three, headed by Exminster businessman, Nigel Gooding, spoke of their cases for the takeover in a meeting held on Wednesday night.

It was decided, after presentations from the two, that Mr Gooding should control the club.

Mr Gooding, who has been involved with football in Devon for 25 years is delighted with his new position as chairman of the club and is looking forward to a successful future.

He replaces Dave Fenner, who during the past three months brokered the deal that will see an immediate cash injection for on-field activities and a review of all the club's activities to ensure long-term survival and the retention of the club's Western League status.

Mr Fenner said: 'It has been a difficult period for both the committee and Dawlish Town FC, which has fully supported Mr Gooding's ideals.

'I would like to thank all of those who worked tirelessly to secure the club's future.'

Mr Gooding said: 'I am delighted that we have reached a conclusion which sees Dawlish Town in a position to move forward and create a centre of excellence of football in Teignbridge.

'I must praise the work of Dave Fenner, Ray Green the manager, Cilla Diment, the players and the committee who have managed to keep faith in the club during the past 12 months.

'I would like to single out Dave Fenner's unstinting hard work to ensure that Dawlish Town FC has a future to look forward to, and I am happy that Mr Fenner has decided to remain on the committee to help us through the season.

'We will build a team at Dawlish Town which will see the club be the heart of Teignbridge football and retain its Western League status.'

Mr Gooding confirmed that he had resigned as vice-chairman of the Firewatch Devon League and the Exeter District Sunday Football League.

Mr Gooding went on to say: 'We have a number of longer-term plans that involve the refurbishment of the club and its grounds to create a centre of excellence for football.

'However, the first priority must be to ensure Western League survival.

'Over the next 10 days we will be appointing a new manager. Mr Green has done a fantastic job and he must be thanked for that, the Town should be proud of his efforts.

'We also have a number of candidates who we are talking to at the moment and will of course be pursuing a number of key players during the next few days, outlining our vision, plans and commitment to ensuring Dawlish Town remain a Western League club.'

It has been alleged that the old manager, Tony Bowker, might return, under the right conditions, with players from the old team.