Moran installed as new manager

Gary Moran will take charge of Rugby Town for the first time in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League on Saturday as the Valley's new manager after being named as the successor to James Jepson.

The appointment of the 33-year-old caretaker boss on a permanent basis was confirmed on Thursday as Moran prepared his side to host Northwich Victoria at the weekend in EVO-STIK NPL First Division South.

The former Stratford Town assistant manager, pictured, has been in temporary charge since 19 September following Jepson's resignation. He will be assisted by former Valley boss Martin Sockett who has returned to Butlin Road as head coach after most recently managing United Counties League Premier Division outfit Leicester Nirvana.

Moran, a vastly experienced right-back who made than 200 appearances for Rugby in all competitions in two spells from 2002 to 2005 and 2010 to 2012, has played in both games while caretaking - a 1-0 reverse at Lincoln United followed by last Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Spalding United.

Rugby Town

Rugby Town

Sockett re-joins the club for his fourth spell having been manager between 1998 and 2001 and again in the 2010-11 season when he led Valley to a sixth place finish in the EVO-STIK League Southern's Division One Central.

Jepson, along with his assistant John Ramshaw, stood down after four months at the helm and eight games into the new season a few hours after the Valley's 6-0 hammering at Brackley Town in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday 17 September.

Image courtesy of Rugby Town FC

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