Oxford United have made the change the fans were clamouring for with Jim Smith moving "upstairs" to become a full-time director, and Darren Patterson (pictured) taking over as manager.

And for Patto, who has twice before briefly been in charge only to have it taken away from him after just three games, this is the opportunity he has been craving - to be the No 1.

The 38-year-old former Northern Ireland defender, who takes charge of the team for today's FA Cup first-round tie against Northwich Victoria at the Kassam Stadium, says he is "on a mission" to get Oxford United back into the Football League.

The change at the top followed a meeting of Smith, chairman Nick Merry and co-owner Ian Lenagan on Thursday after Smith returned from a brief break in Spain.

Unveiling Patterson as the new boss yesterday, Merry said: "We always maintained that Jim Smith would put the interests of the club before his own and decide when it was time for him to step down as manager and concentrate on his director's role full-time."

And the new manager admitted that he could be not be more pleased.

"I've always wanted this," Patterson said.

"There's something about this football club that since the first day I came up the drive - I see it as a mission to get Oxford United back into the Football League."

Youth team coach Mickey Lewis steps up to become Patterson's assistant today with youth development officer Les Taylor taking the Under 18s.

Smith, who had been Oxford boss since March 2006, had seen his side endure painful defeats at Histon and Droy- lsden and then last week's humiliating 5-0 rout at Rushden.

The end wasn't as he had wanted. He had hoped to pass on the baton following a couple of good wins, but that never happened.

Smith was not present at the press conference but said: "Managing in the Conference is very different than at the higher levels and, consequently, has been more difficult, less enjoyable personally and unfortunately less successful than I would have liked for Oxford United supporters.

"We came very close last season, but not close enough.

"I feel the time is right for Darren to have the opportunity to manage his team in his own way and I'm delighted to be asked to continue to contribute to Oxford United as a director helping with overall strategy."

United are hoping fans show their appreciation for the move they have taken with their feet - by coming through the turnstiles.

Merry said: "Concern about performances has caused many Oxford United fans to call for this change.

"Results and - particularly - reduced attendances have become a serious financial concern to all the board, including Jim.

"Having made that change, we would ask Oxford United fans to demonstrate in the most significaqnt way their commitment to the club by attending in large num- bers, starting with this important FA Cup game."

There is no fixed term to Patterson's contract, which is on a rolling basis.

But he will need time to turn fortunes around and get in the players he wants. He started yesterday by signing 22-year-old defender Paddy Collins on a month's loan from Darlington.

Merry said: "Darren has the confidence of the board and he's here for as long as it takes."

And the chairman said he was sure Smith had no regrets about coming back to the club, even though it hadn't ended in the promotion he had hoped.

"Jim loves this football club, as we all do, so it was a hard decision for him to make, but he's got the full support of everybody at the club," Merry added.

"He's done a tremendous job for us and he'll continue to do that job going forwards.

"He's got absolutely no regrets about coming back. If it hadn't been for Jim, I wouldn't have taken the task on in the beginning, without having Jim's support.

"I think we can all be thankful for Jim Smith and all he has done for Oxford United.