Ebdon handed post permanently

Marcus Ebdon was unveiled as the new manager of EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Spalding United on Tuesday night.

The former Peterborough United midfielder and Alfreton Town boss was named as the First Division South club's new manager just over a week after Pat Rayment left the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Fields after nearly four years at the helm.

Former assistant manager Ebdon, pictured right alongside Rayment, will be assisted by coach Danny Hussey as his own number two. As caretakers, the pair guided the Tulips to two convincing victories in First Division South over Leek Town and Newcastle Town and a narrow defeat on penalties at the hands of Premier Division Matlock Town in the Integro Doodson Sport Cup.

Ebdon, 45, was recruited by his former Posh teammate Rayment for the start of the 2011-12 season. As well making 147 appearances for Peterborough, he made nearly 200 for Chesterfield and also turned out for Everton, Leyton Orient, Tamworth and Alfreton.

Spalding United chairman Andy Gay said the club's directors were delighted to appoint the pair following a meeting on Tuesday night.

Gay said: "From the outset we wanted to appoint from within the club and Marcus and Danny were the obvious choices. We all look forward to working together as a complete team.”

A UEFA B licensed coach, Ebdon is looking forward to taking charge for the first time on Saturday as permanent manager when his new charges take on Carlton Town at home.

He said: “I look forward to the challenge of taking the club forward with Danny as my assistant. From our short time as caretaker managers we have made a good start with the team playing some good football as was shown at Leek Town on Saturday."

Appointed in January 2012 as the successor to Andy Stanhope, Rayment left the Tulips by mutual agreement after three defeats in a row, a 2-1 home defeat to Daventry Town towards the end of October triggering his departure after he told the club's board he had taken the team as far as he could.

Rayment will be remembered as one of the most successful managers in the club's history after collecting two trophies during his tenure and winning promotion back in the EVO-STIK NPL as United Counties champions. Along the way to winning 32 of their 36 fixtures, he guided his side to 17 successive victories to set a new league record for consecutive wins.

Image courtesy of www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk

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