Lawson decides on early departure

The former Skelmersdale United boss, pictured, tendered his resignation on Sunday in the wake of his side's 2-0 loss to Grantham Town at the Marine Travel Arena on Saturday, their second home defeat on the spin in the Northern Premier League's top flight following last weekend's 4-1 reverse against Basford United.

The Mariners, who are away at Witton Albion in the top flight on Tuesday night, named assistant manager Ian Johnson as caretaker in a brief statement on the club's official website and Twitter account announcing the news as they launched the hunt for Lawson's successor.

Setting a six day deadline for potential candidates to apply, the club said: "Marine AFC announce that manager Tommy Lawson informed the chairman [Paul Leary] today that he has decided to step down with immediate effect. Assistant manager Ian Johnson will take over team selection on a caretaker basis until a permanent successor is appointed."

The statement added: "Applications should be made in writing, enclosing a current CV, to secretary Richard Cross at richard@marinefc.com prior to the closing date of 5pm on Friday 7th September."

Lawson, 67, left Skelmersdale United in January 2017 after over ten years at the helm before being appointed by the Mariners a month later as the replacement for Sean Hessey with the club two places and three points above the relegation zone. The experienced manager stood down after the his side's second home defeat of the 2019-19 left the club second from bottom with four points from their first five fixtures.

Image courtesy of @MarineAFC/Twitter

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