Gannon heads home to Hatters

Officials at the First Division North's Vics announced Gannon's exit in a statement on their website wishing the 47-year-old well and thanking him for his services since taking over from Lee Ashcroft in December 2013. In his first season at the helm, Gannon guided the Vics to a ninth place finish before reaching the play-offs last April.

Gannon's successor will inherit a title-chasing squad with the second-placed Vics having five games in hand to bridge a nine point gap on leaders Warrington Town. The Vics are expected to name an interim management team on Tuesday before heading to Runcorn Linnets in the first round of the Cheshire Senior Cup, a trophy they lifted in 2014 under Gannon, pictured.

The Vics said: "It is with regret that the football club announce the departure of first team manager Jim Gannon who is taking up the vacant managerial position at Stockport County with immediate effect.

"Obviously, Stockport County is a club close to Jim's heart having had an illustrious playing and mangerial career with them. We would like to wish Jim well in his new role and would like to thank him for all his hard work the past twenty-three months."

Former Dundalk, Motherwell, Peterborough United and Port Vale defender Gannon has already managed the National North's Hatters in two spells, first from 2005 to 2009. A UEFA Pro Licence holder, he left Edgeley Park for a second time in January 2013 after 14 months at the helm.

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