Moran falls on his sword after drop

Rugby Town are looking for a manager to take them back up into the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League after parting company with Gary Moran.

Valley officials were starting the hunt to replace Moran this weekend after he stood down following the club's relegation from EVO-STIK NPL First Division South.

The 34-year-old took charge as player-manager in September 2016 after James Jepson's short stay at Butlin Road at the successor to Dale Belford was cut short. After being unable to save the strugglers from the drop to Step 5 of the Non-League pyramid for the first time in more than three decades, Moran's successor will be tasked with winning from promotion from the Midland League.

Rugby Town director Neil Melvin paid tribute to Moran in a club statement confirming his departure and starting the process of finding a replacement.

Rugby Town

Rugby Town

Melvin told Valley fans: "Last season was clearly a very difficult and ultimately desperately disappointing one for everyone involved with the club. The board would like to place on record our thanks to Gary for taking the reins at a particurly tricky juncture back in September and seeing the job through."

He added: "We will now be seeking a suitable successor with the primary objective of restoring Step 4 football to Butlin Road at the earliest opportunity."

Images courtesy of @fcrugbytown/Twitter

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Where next?

Early return after stepping down Former Walsall striker Gary Birch was unveiled as the new manager of Walsall Wood on Saturday a day after quitting EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Hednesford Town.
Former sponsorship boss mourned EVO-STIK Northern Premier League chairman Mark Harris paid tribute to Rob Jenkins on Friday after one of the key figures behind the long-running Unibond title sponsorship sadly passed away.

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