Harris pays the price for Scholars slide

Chasetown parted company with manager Craig Harris in the wake of their 2-0 defeat at Coalville Town in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League on Saturday.

The former Scholars FA Cup hero and skipper had been in charge for two and a half years and had celebrated his 100th game at the helm a month before Christmas.

Harris, pictured, skippered the First Division South club's historic FA Cup run of 2005-06 when they were eventually beaten by League One Oldham Athletic in a first round replay. He was relieved of his duties following a run of just two victories in the club's last seventeen league fixtures dating back to September.

Harris took charge of first team affairs following the club’s disappointing relegation from the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight at the end of the 2011-12 season.

In his first season, he steered the club to the play-Off final, only to lose by the odd goal in three at Stamford AFC.

A mid-table finish of 12th in 2013-14 was offset by the defeat of Rushall Olympic to capture the Walsall Senior Cup for the fourth time.

In a statement issued by the club ahead of a trip to Leek Town in the quarter-finals of the Staffordshire Senior Cup on Wednesday night, officials paid tribute to Harris and thanked him for efforts.

The Scholars said: "The management committee at the club would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Craig for all his hard work and commitment, and would like to wish him all the best for the future.

"However, the club feels that a change of manager and direction is necessary at this time to position itself for a promotion challenge once again. The club will look to appoint a new manager as soon as possible."

Image courtesy of www.expressandstar.com

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | The NPL group on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/