A major shake-up at Wirral's Cammell Laird FC has seen the departure of their manager and coach and former Tranmere Rovers players Alex Hay and Kenny Irons appointed to the hot seat.

The club announced this morning that, following discussions, manager Derek Ward and first team coach Tony Sullivan have parted company with the club.

Following their relegation from the Unibond Premier Division last season on a ground-grading issue, the club was hoping to make an immediate impact in Unibond League Division One South and for a swift return.

But following a poor start to the season, both parties have agreed to go their separate ways.

A statement said: "The club wish Derek and Tony all the very best for the future, they came in at a time that the club was under pressure and Derek in particular turned the team into one capable of finishing outside of the automatic relegation places in the Premier Division.

"Tony has come in this season and been a boost in the dressing room, however the changes in personnel and training methods have not brought the results that the club had hoped for."

This morning, the club announced the appointment of former Tranmere Rovers and Laird's forward Alex Hay, who is a respected figure in the game, and has close links with Laird.

He will be joined by former Tranmere Rovers and Huddersfield player Kenny Irons, who will join him in an assistant manager's role.

A Laird spokesman said: "The club have appointed Alex as we see him as a bright prospect for the future, someone who knows the current players and has a superb amount of contacts around the game to enable the club to bring in fresh faces if required.

"It has taken soundings from several respected people and many agree that Alex has key attributes to make an impact in the game and evolve the team to meet the clubs aims."