By Martin Walker

Darlington have today appointed Ryan Kidd as their new manager, succeeding Simon Davey who quit the club this week.

The Quakers have opted to install Davey's ex-assistant manager on a two-year deal to ensure continuity with players and to try and re-establish stability at the club.

Kidd, 38, played with Davey at Preston and joined him at Barnsley, helping them to reach the FA Cup semi-finals in 2008 with famous wins over Chelsea and Liverpool.

Darlington chairman Raj Singh said: "Ryan is the best option for us, given his involvement in player recruitment since joining the club in April, and we're hoping he'll be able to carry on all the good work we've done recently in creating a buzz around the place.

"He knows the players that he and Simon Davey wanted to keep here as well as helping to identify new signings this summer. He's also had a big hand in trying to persuade three other players to join us who are currently mulling offers on the table.

"He shares the same beliefs and philosophies when it comes to football which means the emphasis next season will still be on playing attractive and entertaining football.

"It also reassures the new players we've signed, who are tied to us having signed contracts, and they can be assured they're wanted here by the new manager.

"Up until Tuesday we were trying to identify a successor to Davey until we discovered Ryan was just as much in the dark as we were about the situation. We discussed it with him, had a meeting with him yesterday and he's assured us that he's ready and hungry for this challenge.

"He's played a big part in the squad already and knows the players we're trying to bring in, and if they don't materialise Ryan will be given all the help possible to bring in other targets.

"He ticked all the boxes for us in this situation and we're confident he'll be able to make sure everything carries on as normal and we can continue the momentum that we'd built up in the last couple of months.

"The hope is that we'll be able to put the sorry episode of the past few days behind us and crack on with the work we've already done in assembling a squad strong enough to win promotion next season.

"Fans can also be assured that Ryan has signed a deal which commits him to the club for two years, but that if the circumstances were to change and he wants to leave within those two years, we'd be heavily compensated.

"I'd like to again thank our fans for their support and understanding during yet another difficult period for the club. Let's hope we can now plan ahead with a positive feel around the club, with everyone behind us."

Kidd's first coaching appointment was with Barnsley after his retirement from playing through a neck injury. The Manchester-born defender had played 317 league and cup games for North End and was handed a testimonial at Deepdale in 2002.