Duo staying on after standing down

Peter Ward and Ant Buckle have stood down as joint managers of EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Kidsgrove Athletic.

The duo stepped aside at Hollinwood Road on Wednesday with the club second from bottom of the EVO-STIK NPL First Division South table after taking a single point from their first four games.

Former Lancaster City and Nantwich Town boss Ward, pictured, left his post as number two to Lee Casswell at Leek Town to return as manager for a second time in 2014 after being sacked in 2012 after five seasons at the helm.

Buckle, who also managed the club previously, was number two to Ward in his first spell at the helm before working alongside side him as joint boss.

The Grove, who head to Marston Road on Saturday to take on Stafford Rangers in The Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round, have appointed former Burton Albion player Ryan Austin as manager on a caretaker basis.

The 31-year-old was part of Crewe Alexandra's youth set-up before joining Burton in 2004, initially on loan under Nigel Clough, before making his move permanent in 2005. He went on to make more than 200 appearances for the Brewers.

In a statement confirming the shake-up, officials said Austin could be given the chance to help them target the play-offs if successful while Ward and Buckle are set to stay on at The Novus Stadium.

The club said: "Kidsgrove Athletic would like to announce the appointment of a new caretaker manager. Ryan Austin, currently playing in the first team, has been named to take the club forward as player-manager. Ryan comes with a wealth of playing experience and now wants to assist Kidsgrove Athletic in its aspirations to finish this season as play-off contenders as a minimum.

"Kidsgrove Athletic will look to utilise the services of both Pete Ward and Ant Buckle within the club and remain key to its future aspirations. All the directors are hugely grateful for the time and effort both Pete and Ant have put in and their on-going support to the future management."

Kidsgrove Athletic chairman Mick Fitzjohn, a personal friend of both Ward and Buckle, told the Stoke Sentinel in a separate interview that the decision to replace them had been a hard one to make.

“It was a difficult decision. They are both mates of mine, but the board of directors had a meeting and they decided it was time for change.

“We didn't have a very good season last time. The budget was doubled in the summer in the hope we could hit the ground running, but it's not been the best of starts and unfortunately they have paid the price."

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague | The NPL Facebook Group www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/

Where next?

Super striker wants more players! Footballing legend Gianluca Vialli is calling on the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's stars and fans to play in a prestigious five-a-side tournament at the Football Association’s St Georges Park in aid of Prostate Cancer UK.
Seagulls double up for charity Colwyn Bay have chosen The Brain Tumour Charity and North Wales Superkids as their twin charities for the 2016-17 EVO-STIK Northern Premier League season.

Match centre

Northern Premier League - Premier
Northern Premier League - East
Northern Premier League - Midlands
Northern Premier League - West

Latest photos

The Pitching In Northern Premier League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe