FARSLEY Celtic have moved swiftly to fill their managerial vacancy by appointing Adam Lakeland as their new boss with former Celts forward Mark Bett as his number two.

It has been a whirlwind few days at Throstle Nest since their upbeat presentation evening on Friday night.

The club’s joint managers Neil Parsley and John Deacey were both involved in the awards night, and there was no hint of the surprise departures.

Deacey left the club on the Sunday and, in an unrelated move, Parsley quit just a day later.

Farsley then unveiled their replacement management team just 24 hours later.

Farsley’s chief executive officer Josh Greaves insisted that he and the club’s owner John Palmer could not afford to hesitate.

Greaves said: “It’s come very quickly but at this time of the season, when the players are all in limbo and getting calls from everywhere, John and I knew that we had to be decisive.

“Adam was assistant at Curzon Ashton when they had back-to-back promotions to climb into Vanarama National League North and he was manager of Northwich Victoria and got them into the play-offs but he’s been out of work since.

“He will be assisted by Mark, who has had two spells as a player with us.

"Mark has worked with Adam as a player at Curzon and as his assistant at Northwich, so they do have an understanding.

“Overall we’re delighted to have them and we’re very excited about the coming season in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.”

Striking while the iron is hot has certainly removed any speculation and will have settled last season’s squad and the Farsley fans following the shock departures and quick transition.

New boss Lakeland said: “I got the chance of a move to come to Farsley and, in fairness, it was a no brainer.

“This is an historic non-league football club, this is a great football club. I have been so impressed with what everyone has had to say and I can't wait to start.

“I can't see a massive change within the current squad. It is strange coming into a situation where you have a team that has just won promotion and you have to take them on, but it will be a great challenge.

"I want to keep the basis of this great squad together. I know that there will be a few that want to move on and we will want to bring a couple in, but that's it.

“I honestly can't wait to get going and I will be speaking with the squad over the next few days.”

Bett added: “I am very happy to be back at Farsley Celtic. I have been here in so many good times. I was here aged 20 and here I am back at 35!

“I've had some great times at Farsley and I worked with Adam at Northwich. I got the phone call on Monday and its all been very quick, but I can't wait to get going.”