STEVE Wilkes has agreed a two-year contract at Northwich Victoria, demonstrating his commitment to a long-term rebuild on the pitch.

An announcement on Monday night confirmed the news.

The manager’s assistant, Steve Pickup, and first-team coach Andy Payton have signed similar deals with the club.

Wilkes told the Guardian in February that he had started already to plan for next season, and urged his players to persuade him they should stay too with their performances.

A disappointing exit from the Macron Cup at Burscough last week was the team’s final chance to win a piece of silverware, although they have their sights set on finishing inside the North West Counties League Premier Division’s top 10.

Wilkes said: “We can’t settle for being where we are, and looking up at sides like Runcorn Linnets or Bootle.

“In time, that should be us.

“We want to finish as high as we can.

“If we do, then that bodes well for the lads that stay and also will help us to persuade potential new signings that we’re a side on the up.”

Vics confirmed last week that an agreement to play home games at Barnton will end next month.

Instead they have negotiated a new arrangement to return to Witton Albion’s Wincham Park home for at least the next two years.

The currently sit 14th in the table, a position they were denied an opportunity to improve upon when a meeting with their landlords was postponed on Monday.

That fixture has been rearranged for next Thursday, April 12, kick-off 7.45pm.

They visit Charnock Richard tomorrow, Wednesday, and then Winsford United at the weekend.