Eastwood urge fans to back new boss

Eastwood Town are urging fans to get behind Chris Shaw after appointing him as their new manager on Wednesday.

The Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Badgers, who are rock bottom of the league, also appointed Mitch Hanson as Shaw's assistant manager at Coronation Park. The duo took over with immediate effect ahead of Saturday's league trip to Blyth Spartans following talks with Eastwood Chairman Steve Lynch.

Hanson had been working alongside caretaker manager Paul Riley following the departure of John Ramshaw last month but he left last week and Shaw has been handed the task of leading the club's survival fight as both a player and their new manager.

Club spokesperson Samantha Demetriou said: "We would like to wish them luck and hope that the fans get behind them and give them the support they need. The lads have a lot of respect for Chris and listen to what he has to say and now we want the whole club to get right behind him and Mitch."

Saturday's clash will be a battle between two new managers. Late on Tuesday night the Spartans made their own managerial appointment by naming caretaker boss Paddy Atkinson as the permanent replacement for the departed Tommy Cassidy.

Shaw, 28, has had several spells as a player with the Badgers. as well as the likes of Hednesford Town, Alfreton Town, Corby Town, Arnold Town, Ilkeston Town, Gainsborough Trinity and Hucknall Town.

Hanson, who is still only 24, is a former Derby and Oxford United professional who played in the Football League for Notts County while on loan from the Rams.