Line returns to fill Ebden's shoes

Simon Line is back in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League as Market Drayton Town's interim manager following the departure of Lee Ebden on Thursday night.

Line, 42, managed the First Division South club from 2005 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2011. He takes charge for the third time on Saturday for their trip to Sheffield.

Ebden left the club following a meeting with club officials. The 29-year-old hung up his playing boots in 2008 at Kidderminster Harriers after a series of niggling injuries. After retiring, he'd worked with more than 130 clubs across Europe as a football consultant before taking his first steps into management at Drayton in July following the departure of Dave Richards.

Ebden left Market Drayton in 12th spot with one win and two draws from their opening four games having only lost once. In a statement released on their website, the club confirmed that Line had been invited to apply for the role on a permanent basis. Former Chelsea defender and Wigan Athletic manager Chris Hutchings has agreed to remain at the Greenfields Sports Ground in his current role as assistant-manager.