Mills lures Caskey away

Darren Caskey has ended his successful partnership in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League with Kevin Wilson at Ilkeston FC for the assistant manager's job alongside Gary Mills at Gateshead.

The former Tottenham, Reading and Notts County midfielder, pictured, accepted the chance to head north on Wednesday and become Mills’ right-hand man at the Conference Premier outfit.

Wilson paid tribute to his outgoing assistant manager at the Premier Division's Robins and wished him well in the Football Conference.

He said: "Darren and I have worked really well together in the four years we’ve been at the New Manor Ground and I’m genuinely sad to see him go. But he’s keen to try his luck at the higher level and no one can blame him for that.

"It also fits that his family have business interests in North Yorkshire and although we have tried hard over the past few days to persuade him to stay, he feels the time is right to move on.”

Caskey was an influential figure in the Ilkeston FC midfield when the new club secured immediate promotion in their first season after reforming two years ago. He’s since played a key role in establishing the Academy as one of the best in Non-League football.

Robins’ chairman Dave Mantle also praised Caskey, highlighting his work in bringing through young players and helping to lay the foundations of the club's successful youth policy.

Mantle added: "I cannot praise Darren too highly for the contribution he has made to our club and we have tried all we can to keep him. We believe that we have an outstanding crop of youngsters progressing nicely in our Academy and Darren can feel very proud of the part he’s played in creating that situation.

"It’s hardly surprising that other clubs have noticed the job he has done for us and although it’s a real blow to lose him, we respect his decision and wish him all the best for the future."

Ilkeston FC are to advertise for a replacement and the chairman added: "We will take our time before making the choice because we see it as a very important appointment."

Caskey officially signed off on Wednesday night by coaching the youngsters against Deeping Rangers in the FA Youth Cup.

Caskey, 39, said: "The Academy has come a long way in the past three years and I really hope it continues to go from strength to strength. We have seen the likes of Danny Gordon, Matt Baker, Callum Chettle, Ellis Storey and Mike Williams move up to the first team and I’m sure there will be more to follow because there are some really talented boys in the group.

"There are a lot of things I’m going to miss about the New Manor Ground. It has been a tough decision but Gary Mills has offered me a great opportunity to go higher and for family and footballing reasons, I feel the time is right to move on. I would like to place on record my thanks to Kevin Wilson and Dave Mantle for giving me a chance and I will always follow Ilkeston FC’s progress with a keen interest."