DARREN Patterson has been given the backing of U's fans after he was named the club's manager for a third time.

Jim Smith's troubled 18-month reign ended yesterday when it was announced he was stepping down with immediate effect and Patterson, his assistant, taking over.

Smith's last game in charge was a 5-0 thumping at the hands of Rushden & Diamonds, which has left the club languishing in mid-table.

Last night, Trevor Lambert of fans' group OxVox said: "The change had to happen now if it was going to have any real effect.

"Darren has been acting manager before and has earned his chance to have a go at the big job.

"The 5-0 defeat against Rushden was a catastrophic and awful performance and that must have been a very difficult moment for the club.

"It's a shame that Jim Smith was not able to stand down with the team in a winning position, but fans will respect him for making this decision and for what he has done in the past."

Although Mr Smith, 67, did not appear at yesterday's press conference, he said managing in the Conference had been "very different and consequently more difficult and less enjoyable".

He now becomes a director of the club.

At just 38, Patterson can already consider himself one of the unluckiest managers around having had two previous spells in charge of United.

He was caretaker manager after Graham Rix's departure in 2004 until Ramon Diaz took over.

And in March last year he was given the job following Brian Talbot's sacking and managed the club for just eight days. Shortly after the club was sold to Mr Merry he installed Jim Smith as boss.

Lifelong U's fan Richard Denner, 47, from Bicester, said: "I never wanted Jim Smith to go in this way, but it would have been awful if one of the club's all-time greats had to be sacked.

"He can now go upstairs with some credit."

Former Northern Ireland international Patterson played in the Premier League with Crystal Palace and had spells with Wigan Athletic, Luton, Dundee United and York City.

He made 195 career appearances, scoring eight goals.

Season ticket holder Paul Beasley, 52, from Bicester, said: "I am in no doubt that Jim Smith had to go.

"In a way it is sad, but there is no room for sentiment in football."

Mark Rowbotham, 36, from Abingdon, added: "Patterson should be given until the end of the season. This should give us fresh impetus."