YEOVIL Town Ladies FC have appointed Lee Burch as the club's new head coach, as the club prepares for life in its new professional surroundings.

Burch, who was named the 2017/18 FA Women’s Super League 2 manager of the year at the LMA Awards, will succeed Jamie Sherwood in managing the Lady Glovers.

Burch joined Millwall Lionesses midway through the 2016 campaign, and guided them to a top three finish last season.

With Yeovil now confirmed as a Tier 1 side for next season, Burch will look to take the club forward in a full-time professional setting.

He said: "I’m delighted to be joining Yeovil Town Ladies.

"After speaking to the club and seeing the vision, I was excited by the challenge and look forward to the season starting.

"The club has many of the key values I look for in myself, the players I work with and the staff, and this was key to my decision.

"I cannot wait to get into the full-time environment and with the new WSL1 structure.

"I believe it’s going to be an exciting time for the club, staff, players and supporters.”

Yeovil chairman Steve Allinson added: "On behalf of everyone at Yeovil Town Ladies I am delighted to welcome Lee to our club at this exciting new chapter in our development.

"Lee demonstrated in our interview process how much he shared the values we cherish and our long-term development vision.

"We look forward to working with him and building together on and off the field."

The 2018/19 WSL season begins on the weekend of August 18-19, with Yeovil one of 11 sides in the top flight.

They will compete alongside Arsenal Women, Birmingham City Ladies, Brighton & Hove Albion Women, Bristol City Women, Chelsea Women, Everton Ladies, Liverpool Ladies, Manchester City Women, Reading Women, West Ham United Ladies.

The Somerset club has secured a full-time training facility, with pitches, analysis suite, performance lab and gym, all based at Bridgwater & Taunton College.