Crawley have confirmed they are going full-time and have appointed Steve Duly as director of football.

New owners the SA Group, who took over four weeks ago, are bankrolling the change in a bid to take the club into the Football League.

Reds were one of nine part-time clubs in the Conference last season, where they finished 12th, and the number has now reduced to six.

SA Group spokesman Paul Hobbs said: "We have been in discussions with many parties regarding the transition between part and full-time status.

"Obviously we needed to be sure that we could construct a squad of players who were able to commit to the change and we are finalising the infrastructure behind the scenes, one of our most important tasks being that of sourcing a training ground with the necessary facilities."

Duly's new role has been created for him by the SA Group, who were keen to keep the former managing director at the club.

He will continue to will work closely with manager Francis Vines on all football matters and will retain his responsibilities for the safety matters within the stadium.

He said: "Over the last six years I have had overall responsibility for all aspects of the club's operation. It has meant that I have had to spread myself thinly and not focus my attentions onto one specific role.

"The changes I have seen over the last few weeks have been very positive and we now have the human resources in the relevant areas to ensure optimising all avenues and I am convinced that the club will quickly move from strength to strength.

"Everyone who knows me is aware that I am fully committed to the development of the club and I am delighted to have a streamlined, defined role to get my teeth into."

Meanwhile, Crawley have completed the signings of strikers Danny Ekoku and Jamie Cade on one and two-year deals respectively. Ekoku, 19, is the nephew of former Wimbledon, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday forward Efan and was released by Bradford during the summer.

Cade, 21, was at Colchester last season and has had previous spells at Chesterfield and Middlesbrough.

Midfielder Joe Keehan has been put on contract.

Reds end their pre-season programme against AFC Wimbledon at Broadfield Stadium tonight ahead of Saturday's Conference opener at York.

Burgess Hill entertain Margate tonight at Leylands Park in a friendly (kick-off 7.30).