Frecklington calls time on reign

Frecklington, pictured, had been considering his future after three years at the helm and admitting recently that he was finding it tough to juggle football with his family and growing business commitments.

Lincoln United's outgoing chairman Malcolm Cowling confirmed Frecklington's departure on Thursday, only a few weeks after he led them into the play-offs following the club's fifth-placed finish to the 2016-17 EVO-STIK NPL First Division South campaign.

In a statement naming Frecklington's number two Sam Wilkinson as caretaker until a new Lincoln United manager is appointed, Cowling said: “Whilst we are obviously disappointed that Dave won’t be staying with the club to build on the success of the last three years and have another go at promotion, we fully understand his decision.

"He has done more for Lincoln United on the field than anyone in the club’s recent history and we wish him well in whatever he does in football in the future. As for Lincoln United, nothing changes and we still intend to do everything we can to win promotion."

He added: "We’ll start the process of looking for a new manager immediately so that we can get him in place well in time for pre-season training, friendlies and the start of the 2016-17 campaign.”

Cowling, at the helm for the last six years while restoring the club's fortunes on and off the field, announced he was stepping down at Ashby Avenue after the Whites narrowly missed out on promotion following their 3-2 defeat in their play-off semi-final at Shaw Lane Aquaforce.

Local businessman and Whites committee member Ian Beaumont is stepping up from his role in charge of the club's youth development to become Cowling's successor this summer with both now working together to find Frecklington's replacement.

Image courtesy of www.lincolnshireecho.co.uk

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