News

Woodley Go For Wilcox

Woodley Sports were another club who ended last season managerless and they have opted to give Chris Wilcox, who is Head of Youth football at Football League club Rochdale, his first chance of managing at UniBond League level.

The 37 year old former Altrincham, Leigh RMI and Mossley player has had success at North West Counties League level having steered Winsford United to the NWCL Second Division title at their first attempt last year.

Wilcox brings with him his Winsford Assistant John Flanagan for whom it will be a second stint with the Stockport based side having been a player and manager with them in the nineties.

Marrow Back In Business

Following Peter Rinkcavage's decision to decamp to Premier Division Worksop Town to replace Ian Bowling as manager after the "Tigers" relegation from the Conference North, Stocksbridge PS have appointed Gary Marrow was their new boss.

Marrow took Frickley Athletic to Premier Division runners-up spot in 2005/6 but surprisingly switched during last season to struggling Grantham Town who subsequently lost their battle to avoid relegation.

In addition to Frickley and Grantham Marrow has also been in charge at Matlock Town and Belper Town whilst his career as a player took in Sheffield United, Gainsborough Trinity, Goole, Worksop Town and Burton Albion. His number two will be his loyal lieutenant Mark Ogley.

Ogden Takes On Leek Job For Fifth Time

It has been a traumatic close season for Leek Town who faced going out of business and as a result lost their promising young manager Paul Moore.

Once saved from going under by a consortium of local businessmen Leek yet again turned to Paul Ogden as a replacement for Moore with this being the fifth occasion that Ogden has managed the Staffordshire outfit after he secured his release from Kidsgrove Athletic where he was joint manager with Peter Ward.

Ogden's first move to was to bring in veteran defender Gary Talbot from Altrincham and he will also have been pleased with a five goal pre-season blast from another new signing the former Moor Green striker Louis Briscoe against a young Accrington Stanley side.

Another striker to sign for Ogden is Darren Alexander from Hednesford Town.

Reed Moves In At Buxton

Last season's First Division champions Buxton were shocked when boss Nicky Laws walked away to take over at Conference North club Alfreton Town but have brought in an equally experienced manager in John Reed.

He has experience in the UniBond League having managed Harrogate Town whom he took in to the Conference North before leaving to take over at Stalybridge Celtic in 2004.

Reed's first priority then was to save Celtic from relegation which he succeeded in doing before narrowly missing out on a play-off spot the following season. However, Stalybridge had a disappointing campaign last term and Reed left the club in April.

Quinn Returns to UniBond Action With Mossley

Gerry Quinn returns to the UniBond scene after being appointed manager at Mossley in succession to Jason Beckford. Quinn took Emley to the FA Vase Final at Wembley in the late eighties and has also managed Altrincham, Ossett Albion, Ashton United and more recently Liversedge in the Northern Counties East League.

Hussin Appointed Player-Coach At Marine

Marine have appointed midfielder Eddie Hussin as player-coach in what is his first opportunity in a coaching role at a senior level of the game. Amongst his charges will be former Welsh youth international Karl Brown who played a full season in the Spanish First Division with Getafe after starting his career with Derby County.

Since returning from Spanish football he has played for Hednesford Town, Colwyn Bay, Barry Town, AFC Telford United and Gresley Rovers.

Marine's one other major signing is former Everton Reserve team and Chester City striker Kevin Towey from Leek Town.