McCulloch appointed number two

Former Notts County striking legend Iain McCulloch has taken over as Les McJannet’s new assistant manager at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Carlton Town.

The Millers announced the 58-year-old former Arnold Town manager's appointment at Stoke Lane on Tuesday. He'll join manager Les McJannet's dugout team for the first time on Saturday when the Millers travel to Gresley in First Division South.

McCulloch's arrival follows the departure of coach Alan ‘Soggy’ Sewell who stepped down this week due to work commitments after a long and successful period with the Millers. The addition of McCulloch to his coaching staff is a major boost for McJannet and comes at a time of intense change at Stoke Lane with Martin Ball also appointed as the club's new skipper on Tuesday.

McCulloch brings a wealth of experience having had many productive years as manager of Arnold Town when they were a major force locally. More recently, he was at the helm of Radford FC. As a player, the striker kicked off his career at Kilmarnock before joining Notts County in 1978 and winning promotion with the Magpies in 1980-81. He was also their top scorer in the old First Division for two consecutive seasons.

Chairman Mick Garton, now back at the helm at Stoke Lane after taking time off recently to concentrate on his business commitments, said: "I speak on behalf of Les and everyone at the club in thanking ‘Soggy’ for the massive contribution he has made over many, many years, both under Les and before that Tommy Brookbanks at Carlton.

"We hope to see him at Stoke Lane when work commitments allow him a Saturday off. We also welcome Iain on board and I’m sure he will freshen things up with some new ideas and be a major help to Les as we go through this period of change."

He added: "I’m sure Martin Ball is also a good appointment as the clubs new skipper and I look forward to working with the new team Les has put in place."

* Striker Ruben Wiggins-Thomas has joined First Division South rivals Bedworth United on loan and scored on Tuesday night in a 2-1 reverse for the Greenbacks at Chasetown.