Legend explains reasons for leaving

Willcock, pictured collecting March's EVO-STIK NPL Club of the Month Award, told fans he believed it was time for a change after their eighth-placed finish to the campaign last weekend and his four seasons at the EVO-STIK NPL First Division North's Hillmen.

Willcock leaves the Arthur Goldthorpe Stadium with an impressive win ratio of more than 60 percent in the 232 games he'd taken charge of since his appointment in 2013. As well as taking the Hillmen into the EVO-STIK NPL as North West Counties League Premier Division champions and league cup winners in 2015, he guided the club to final of the FA Vase in the same season.

Willock, who played for a number of Non-League clubs including Mossley, Rossendale and Salford City before starting out in management at Winsford United, Woodley Sports and Stocksbridge Park Steels, said: "It has been a real honour to be the manager of such an historic club as Glossop North End. Nevertheless, after four wonderfully eventful seasons it is now time for someone else to take over the reins and to make their mark as I now feel that this is the right time for myself, Lee and Lincoln to step aside as the management team.

"However, I couldn’t leave Glossop North End without extending the sincerest thanks to two groups of people: the supporters and the volunteers. The support at Glossop North End is worthy of clubs in divisions well above this level – your enthusiasm, your loyalty, your passion, your encouragement is second-to-none.

"From Wembley to Colwyn Bay, from glittering cup finals to cold and windy nights in the counties, you have embraced everything that myself, Lee and Lincoln and the players have tried to achieve and you have done it with a spirit that has been truly humbling. We have had some great times and I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have.

"Secondly, no club can survive without a team of volunteers. Every aspect of a club’s workings relies on the tireless dedication of those who commit time and energy to making even the most mundane things function. The volunteers at Glossop are the lifeblood of the club and their work is just the best thing about Non-League football.

"Before, during and after every game your effort makes everything possible and we are proud to have been on the receiving end of it. And we hope any supporter reading this will take time to consider joining the ranks of GNE volunteers. Whatever you can help with – big or small – all goes to keeping this historic club running."

He added: "Thank you to everyone connected with Glossop North End for four great seasons and I hope we will see each other again on our Non-League travels."

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