New goalkeeping coach Dave Timmins has started work at Carlisle United today, the Blues have confirmed.

Timmins has joined the club from Ayr United.

And his arrival comes after Simon Smith, who had been working with United's keepers on a temporary basis, departed this weekend.

Timmins, 52, is the permanent replacement for Paul Gerrard, who left Brunton Park on the eve of pre-season.

Manager Paul Simpson, speaking on the club's website, said: "Dave has thrown himself into it already and he has a number of things planned over the day with the first-team keepers, and with the academy, to talk about the young lads in there.

“He’ll be very good for this football club and I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to join us.”

Simpson paid tribute to Smith, saying the ex-Newcastle United coach had been "brilliant" in his short time at the club, and also thanked Ayr for how they had handled Timmins' departure.

"He had a three-month notice period, but they’ve been very good there. They’ve found a replacement and they’ve allowed Dave to come down here earlier."

Timmins was previously United's keeper coach from 2008-9 while he has previously worked with Simpson at Preston North End and Shrewsbury Town.

The coach, speaking to Ayr's official channels about his departure, said he was sad to leave the club but "excited about the new challenge" at Brunton Park.

"When I got the call and spoke to Paul at Carlisle, it was easy in one way because it's Paul and Carlisle; I've worked with Paul and he knows me," he added.

"But on the other side it's hard because working [at Ayr] has been superb."