Lawson is back for survival fight

The experienced Lawson, who's also managed Warrington Town, Clitheroe and Prescot Cables, was unveiled at lunchtime, less than 24 hours after the departure of Hessey. Along with his number two Phil Hackney, the duo left after a poor run of results that have left the Mariners sixth from bottom and battling relegation.

After leaving Skelmersdale United in January after 10 years at the helm, Lawson, pictured, is looking forward to the challenge at the Marine Travel Arena, starting on Saturday with a visit from Frickley Athletic in a six pointer with the Blues one place below them in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight on goal difference alone.

In a statement announcing his swift return to the touchline, Lawson told the club's fans: “I am absolutely delighted to be joining Marine Football Club. The first thing is to secure stability but I am sure with the help of the players and everyone at Marine we can take it on with confidence."

The 66-year-old, who's developed a long line of Non-League graduates to the pro game including Craig Noone, Ben Tolitt and Sean McConville, added: "I look forward to working with the people at Marine in the coming months and to starting my task at training tonight.”

Mariners chairman Paul Leary believes Lawson is the man to preserve the club's proud record of never being relegated since joining the EVO-STIK NPL after taking both Skem and Prescot Cables up into the EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division.

Leary said: “I am delighted that Tommy has agreed to accept the challenge of keeping Marine in the current division by becoming our new manager. Tommy’s vast experience in the Merseyside Non-League scene will be a real factor in the coming weeks.

"We have a target of 50 points for safety and will work tirelessly with him to try to and achieve that. It is vitally important that we retain our proud status and I am sure that Tommy is the man to do this and whatever is needed to be done he will have our complete support to do it.”

Hessey and Hackney left the Mariners in the wake of the club's 2-1 defeat at Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night.

Appointed nearly two years ago as the successor to Carl Macauley, Hessey famously pulled off the 'great escape' with a last day win at Blyth Spartans in 2015 earning the Mariners an FA reprieve from the drop as the relegated club at Step 3 with the best record.

Last season, Hessey guided the Mariners to the final of the Integro League Challenge Cup and a 2-1 victory over Scarborough Athletic to lift the cup for a record fourth time.

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