Banbury United have appointed former Oxford United midfielder Billy Jeffrey as their new manager.

Jeffrey, 52, who replaces Keiran Sullivan, who quit last Saturday following a 5-0 drubbing by Chippenham, will officially take over on Tuesday for their game against Stourbridge.

Anton Sambrook, Wally Hastie and Steve Slaughter wil take charge of the side for Saturday's crucial relegation battle away to Mangotsfield.

The Puritans are just two points from the Premier Division drop-zone.

Jeffrey, who made more than 300 league appearancesfor the U’s in the 1970s, before spells at Blackpool and Northampton, says he jumped at the chance to get back into management.

He told the Oxford Mail exclusively: “I got a phone call after Kieran resigned asking me if I wanted to apply and I was offered the job on Thursday.

“I thought about it and decided to take the challenge. I wanted to be managing at this level again,” said Jeffrey who has been out of management since leaving Rugby Town in December 2007.

Jeffrey, who was also manager of Stamford for six years, as well as being assistant manager at Rushden, said: “I watched Banbury the other night at Halesowen (they lost 2-1) and thought they were unlucky.

“But you can’t start feeling sorry for yourself.

“We can stay up, but it’s going to be very tough. There are only nine games to go. We’ve just got to concentrate on getting three points today.

“I’m taking charge on Tuesday against Stourbridge, but I will be involved.

“I’m going to be talk to the team before the game.”

The Clyde-bank-born boss added: “I’m bringing in Kenny Mist (his assistant at Rugby) and he will be out and about trying to get players in.

“Of course, that’s very difficult at this stage of the season. I’ve been making a lot of phone calls.

“I’m still hungry for the game. I want to get things stabilised and make sure we stay in the Premier Division.

“But they worked hard the other night and you wonder why they are where they are.”

A statement from Banbury United interim chairman Paul Jones said: “The club firmly believe that Billy has all the appropriate qualities and experience to steer the team through its current challenges.”