Kitching vows to revive relegated Rangers

Neil Kitching will be back on the touchline in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League next season as the new manager of Stafford Rangers.

Kitching, pictured, was handed the task of leading Rangers back to the Evo-Stik NPL's top flight at lunchtime on Wednesday after being unveiled as the successor to Graham Heathcote.

Former Altrincham manager Heathcote left Marston Road earlier this month in the wake of the club's relegation from the Premier Division. Kitching stood down at Rushall Olympic after May's Walsall Senior Cup Final following five successful years at Dales Lane.

Nick Amos, Kitching's number two at Olympic, has been appointed assistant manager while former Rangers skipper and veteran Wayne Daniel has accepted a playing and coaching role. Stafford stalwart Martin Prentice completes Kitching's new look coaching team after agreeing to continue in his role as a first team coach.

In a statement confirming Kitching's appointment, the club said: "We believe that we have the right man and he was our first choice for the position. Neil is experienced, young and hungry, has good contacts, excellent management skills and above all a determination to succeed. His CV, organisation and pure enthusiasm hugely impressed us.

"The last two seasons have been a nightmare for all the supporters but we have spent a great deal of time in the past few weeks in putting plans in place to change many aspects of the football club. We are not prepared to give up and believe this will be the turning point in rebuilding the club and looking to the future."

As a player, Kitching was an archetypal centre-forward with a career that took him to Tamworth, Hereford, Gresley, Coleshill and Rushall before he moved into management in 2007. He is determined to bring the good times back to the club and called for unity after the upheavals of last season.

Stafford's new manager said: "I am determined to change the fortunes of Stafford Rangers. We are a team with a proud history and whilst our difficulties are well documented, I believe that we can succeed.

"I am good at building a team with spirit, talent and a winning football mentality. I was impressed by the vision of the new management team and their uncompromising attitude to changing things, both on and off the pitch.

"There is an excellent local youth squad set up and I believe that by working together with people like Chris Curtis we can drive success in all areas. I can’t wait to start and will be proud to wear the badge. It’s now time for everyone to pull together and look to the future."

Kitching's appointment was announced alongside a major overhaul of club structures at Rangers to help reconnect with the local community.

A non-executive board has been appointed to run the club on a day-to-day basis and develop a new strategy and five year plan. The body will include a representative of the Stafford Rangers Independent Supporters Trust (STRIPES) and the club say fans will also be asked to elect their own representative directly every six months.