Drury takes the helm for third time

By David Watters

Graham Drury is getting ready to take charge of Stamford for the third time on Saturday at Frickley Athletic in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League.

After leaving for Corby in 2007 after two years at the helm and then Boston United midway through the 2012-13 campaign after succeeding Tommy Brookbanks, Drury returned on Thursday night to take charge at training as the successor to the departed Andrew Wilson.

The 44-year-old, most recently the manager at Holbeach United in the United Counties League, told the club's fans he was delighted to be back. Despite the current struggles of the second-from-bottom Daniels, Drury is already looking ahead to challenging for promotion at the Premier Division club's new home at the Zeeco Stadium.

In a club statement announcing his return, Drury said: “I am absolutely delighted to be given this opportunity and I can assure the fans I will not let them down. I have learnt a lot since I was last here and I return fully committed to what needs to be achieved.

“Our immediate priority is to get away from the bottom four and then I will be looking for a mid-table finish. Anything more would be a bonus but, longer term, our target must be the play-offs.”

He added: “The facilities here are second to none - all geared for Conference North football. That’s where we should be setting our sights."

Daniels chairman Bob Feetham said: “It was a unanimous decision. We had a lot of applications and considered everyone carefully, but Graham stood out as the man with the most passion and, more importantly, a clear vision of what needs doing now.

"We cannot afford to lose our NPL status and believe Graham is the best man to preserve it while also taking us forward. There will be new faces here, that’s for sure. He has good plans to liven the squad and help bring back a winning mentality."

He added: "Certainly, there won’t be many dull moments with Graham around the place - so sit back and enjoy the ride.”

Wilson parted company with the Daniels on Monday last week after just 10 games in charge in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight as the successor David Staff who left at the end of September.

Image courtesy of www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk

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Where next?

Cup cash and glory await after draw The winners of the Integro Doodson Cup Final can look forward to banking an end of season cheque for £2000 from the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League.
Integro Doodson League Cup Draw Second Round ties to be played w/c 30th November

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