After running since late February with an interim management team in place, Eccleshall have named Nick Farrington as their manager for the 2018/19 season in the newly formed North West Counties League Division 1 South.
A former Eccleshall player and coach, the newly qualified UEFA ‘B’ coach returns to Pershall Park following his very brief stint with Newcastle Town. He left the Eagles in February with former manager Dave Dale but has been seen at a number of games towards the end of the season and broached the idea of a potential return.
Eccleshall secretary, Jim Tunney, said: “Nick’s appointment may appear as a surprise after previous events but, in discussions with him, we can appreciate he left out of loyalty to our previous manager, having worked with him for two years and can, in some respects, understand his thinking on this. His possible return was discussed by the club committee and, while some members had serious misgivings about it, it was felt that he knew the existing playing squad, having brought a number of them to Pershall Park, and has experience of the league. He has apologised for his earlier course of action and knows he has some bridges to build, but above all, is now keen to take the club forward and is grateful for the opportunity”.
Nick will be meeting with the current playing squad very quickly to outline his plans for the coming season and will be looking to build his backroom team in preparation. He will be speaking to the existing interim management team of Craig Bould and Liam Kelly, who have served the club well to see if they wish to be part of the new set up.
Jim Tunney added: “Eccleshall FC wish to place on record their grateful thanks to both Craig and Liam as interim joint managers, together with coach Adam Whitmore, for assisting the club in what was a particularly difficult time and seeing through the season with some decent results along the way”.