Mullen steps down to smooth succession

Market Drayton Town thanked Jimmy Mullen for bringing the good times back to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League club on Thursday after he stood down as manager.

Mullen, 60, decided to call it a day after securing the Evo-Stik NPL First Division South outfit's safety from relegation on Easter Monday, a 3-1 home win over Newcastle Town lifting them to 14th spot with 43 points.

The former Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United, Cardiff City and Newport County defender told the club he wanted to resign before the end of the campaign to give his eventual successor a chance to review the squad and go on to make a strong promotion challenge next season.

With Director of Football Andy Cooke away on a coaching course and set to miss their next three games, striker and long serving player Martyn Davies can stake a claim for the Greenfields job after agreeing to act as caretaker. His first game in charge is at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare on Saturday.

Mullen was in his second spell at the club, having managed them under their original guise of Little Drayton Rangers nearly ten years ago in the Shropshire League. He returned to take over as caretaker manager in October 2011, ten games into last season following the departure of Neil Wooliscroft and his assistant Darren Williams.

Match Secretary and Director Clive Jones paid tribute to Mullen following his surprise departure. He said: "He wanted to leave us when he knew we were safe and give the new manager a chance to look at the players we have got with a view to mounting a strong challenge for promotion next season. He did that and the board at Market Drayton Town Football Club would like to place on record a great big thank you to Jimmy for making our football club a success again.

"Jimmy came to us last season when we had lost all ten opening games in the league and cup and were bottom. He changed things around quite a bit and brought in new players who responded well to his well known professionalism.

"Now Martyn Davies has a chance to make his mark and whoever eventually succeeds Jimmy will reap the benefits of his time with us. We wish him the very best and hope to see him back here again soon for a game when he'll be warmly welcomed."