Martin Carruthers makes swift return to management

Carruthers returns for his second spell at the Lions and is undoubtedly the club's best-performing manager in recent memory, guiding them to five promotions during an impressive seven-year tenure between 2013-19.

During his first spell, Carruthers led the club to a 100-point and 100-goal season in 2017/18 as they were promoted to the Northern Premier League.

He also won the Notts Senior Cup twice, becoming the first Basford manager to do so.

“I am absolutely delighted to be re-joining Basford," Carruthers said.

"I did not expect to be returning to football so quickly, but this was an opportunity that I could not turn down. Basford has always been in my heart, and after all the past successes, I feel I have unfinished business here.

“I know most of the players well, and it’s clear we have real quality within the squad and need a big push in the last six games to help us retain our Step 3 status.

"It won’t be easy, but with hard work, everyone pulling together, lots of positivity and energy, I don’t see any reason why we can’t achieve this together."

Carruthers' return to Greenwich Avenue comes days after he parted ways with fellow Northern Premier League side Matlock Town following a run of just one win in their last eight games.

He departs with the club in 17th in the league table, two places above the relegation zone but a comfortable 13 points clear. Just five points from their remaining eight league games are required to mathematically confirm their survival.

Carruthers led the Gladiators to the play-offs last season, where they were beaten by eventual winners Warrington Town, but they have endured a much more testing campaign this time around.

His new employers Basford are currently two points above the relegation zone. They face two of the sides below them - Atherton Collieries and Bradford Park Avenue - in the next three games, but are also still to play runaway leaders Radcliffe and play-off hopefuls Macclesfield and Worksop Town before the season ends.

Carruthers will work with the Lions' existing management team of Danny Holmes and Andrew Danylyszyn, who will revert to previous roles of assistant manager and head coach. Andrew also remains head of football educational academy for the club.

Chairman Chris Munroe said: “The decision to bringing Martin back is irrespective of the outcome of the 23/24 season, where we hope to retain our Step 3 status & regain the Notts Senior Cup trophy, facing Forest U23s in the final during May.

"However, we now have a clear structure for 24/25 and can now start planning with regard to every eventuality.

“Martin's track record since 2019 has been impressive, heading up two very good teams in Ilkeston Town - securing for them promotion back to Step 3 - and for the last two seasons at Matlock, taking the Gladiators to the NPL Step 3 play-offs in 2022/23."

Photo credit: Basford United