PROMOTED as play-offs final winners on Saturday, then out of a job the next day.

Little more than 24 hours after a 2-0 victory against Bacup Borough secured a place in the North West Counties League top flight for the first time, Barnton announced the departure of manager Danny Meadowcroft.

Assistant boss Andy Burgess and advisor Brian Pritchard have also left.

The trio have known since March that they would be moving on at the end of the season, and told the players on Easter Monday.

“Those lads have given us everything,” said Meadowcroft.

“Their professional attitude to get the job done is a credit to every one of them.

“I’m delighted with what we’ve achieved together, and everybody at the club – from top to bottom – has contributed.

“I wish only the best for Barnton in the future; they definitely have a place in my heart.”

Meadowcroft, 30, was appointed as interim manager in February following the unexpected exit of Leon Knight.

The former Northwich Victoria and Witton Albion defender had accepted an offer to become player-coach the previous month.

The Villagers lost only once in the league with him in charge; at home to St Helens after they had already secured third place in the table.

They lifted the Reusch Division One Cup last month too, beating Hanley in a penalty shoot-out.

A 4-1 victory over Cheadle, after extra time, followed in the play-offs semi-finals before last weekend’s win in front of a record crowd at Townfield.

Barnton plan to unveil a new chairman, as well as Meadowcroft’s successor in the dugout, in the coming days.

“The club will forever be in Danny’s debt,” said committee member Mark Griffiths.

“He took the job knowing it was only for a short-term period, and delivered promotion as well as the league cup.”

Meanwhile former Barnton chairman Ian Ross, who also bid farewell to Townfield at full-time on Saturday, has accepted an offer from Widnes to carry out the same role.

Three new directors have joined the board with him, according to an announcement on Wednesday.

“I'm happy to be involved at the heart of an ambitious project,” said Ross.

“We’ll aim to build on solid foundations laid over the past three seasons.

“We’ve managed to put together a tremendous board of directors; as well as being local, they’ll bring the necessary expertise and drive to enable us to put a competitive side on the pitch.

“We’ve lots of hard work ahead, and it starts straightaway.”

Widnes finished 13th in the North West Counties League’s second tier last season, their best finish since joining the competition in 2013.