Stimpson, a former professional with Hartlepool and Chesterfield, arrives at the Riverside to succeed Scott Somerside, who resigned at the end of the season after guiding Garstang to an impressive third place finish in the West Lancashire League.
News of the appointment came at the club's annual presentation evening on Saturday, with chairman Adrian Wilding saying it was important they moved quickly to appoint Somerside's successor.
"As soon as we heard that Barrie may be interested in the position, he moved to the top of our wanted list'' said Mr Wilding.
"Only two seasons ago Barrie was managing in the Conference North with Lancaster City, before administration dropped them two divisions into the UniBond North.
"I'd like to think that filling the position with someone of Barrie's calibre demonstrates our ambition and commitment to making Garstang Football Club a success.''
And this week Stimpson said he was thrilled to be taking on the challenge of helping to realise some of those ambitions at Garstang.
"I am really excited. I am already looking forward to getting started'' he said.
"To some people it may be a step down for me to be dropping three divisions to manage in the West Lancs but in terms of a well run club, with great potential for development and a real sustainable ambition to move forward then it's very attractive and something I want to be part of. I didn't need much pursuading when the offer came.
"This isn't a stop-gap for me, I want to be part of that development at Garstang for the longterm.''
Stimpson lost his job at Lancaster City in March with the side on the fringes of the play-offs - a decision that still baffles him.
"At the time it was reported it was by 'mutual consent' but the fact is I was sacked at a time when we were still pushing for the playoffs.
"But that is their decision and I have to get on with my life and although I had a few contacts with other Unibond level clubs once I'd spoken with Adrian (Wilding) at Garstang I was impressed with the plans and saw this as an exciting opportunity'' he explained.
"I knew Adrian already and I've known Les Taylor (Garstang's commercial manager) since I played at Morecambe in the 80s - it's a really good set-up at Garstang with good people and great potential.''
Stimpson says has no plans for wholesale changes on the playing side, paying tribute to the achievements of Somerside and Gary Hargreaves, who built the current side and took them to the Premier Division title last season and then, under Somerside's sole stewardship, this year's third place.
He continued: "I met the players on Sunday and there's clearly a good set of lads there - if we can build on what has already been achieved then there are exciting times ahead.''
As well as his football league career Stimpson also played nonleague at Barrow, Morecambe, Colne Dynamoes and Lancaster City.
He started his managerial career as assistant manager at Lancaster with Tony Hesketh, during which the club enjoyed one of the most successful periods in its history, and moved on to Kendal Town as Hesketh's assistant before returning to Lancaster as manager in his own right.