Clitheroe announce permanent managerial appointment

Bell took charge on an interim basis towards the end of the 2023/24 season following the resignation of Danny Caldecott.

He subsequently led the Blues to a hat-trick of wins - against 1874 Northwich and Hednesford Town, then away at Pitching In NPL West Division champions Leek Town on the final day of the season.

Clitheroe finished five points adrift of the play-offs in seventh position, and the club have been quick to tie down Bell ahead of what promises to be a busy summer.

"I'm very excited, it's a great challenge for me, and I think it has come at the right stage of my life," he said following the appointment.

"My world and Clitheroe's world has just collided at the right time, and I believe everything happens for a reason.

"I haven't just come here for the ride, I'm extremely ambitious and I want Clitheroe to do really well. Hopefully we can achieve something together."

Following his interim appointment last month, Clitheroe said that Bell had offered his services as a favour to the club’s directors on a temporary basis.

He was previously assistant at Accrington to John Coleman, who was sacked by the League Two side at the beginning of March.

The pair spent 23 years at Accrington over two spells, guiding the reformed club from non-league to the Football League.

With his future now confirmed at Shawbridge, Bell was quick to open up about his ambitions for the season ahead.

And although his backroom team has yet to be confirmed, the new Clitheroe boss says the club's vision for the future is one he couldn't turn down.

"I am coming here to win the league next season," he added.

"It will be a journey. I just urge the board, the fans and the whole football club to get behind me. Unite everyone and all push in the same direction, and I'm sure we can achieve that."

"I see a project - I see a very good football club, one that can escalate and get out of this league and see where that takes us. We'll take every game & every season as it comes.

"The crowds hopefully will get bigger and bigger and we can see where that takes us.

"There is a great nucleus of players here - hopefully I will added even more quality to that. I aim to implement a winning style of football, and hopefully we'll instil a winning mentality which goes across the club."

Photo credit: Jack Horton-Carysforth