Number two takes over after Clowes departs

Darren Garner has stepped up to take over the hot-seat at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Market Drayton Town following the resignation of Greg Clowes.

Former Stafford Rangers manager Clowes, pictured, was named as the First Division South club’s fourth manager of the season at the end of October and stood down after their final game of the campaign, Saturday’s 4-0 defeat at Carlton Town.

Clowes, who left Marston Road back in September after 27 months at the helm, had followed in the footsteps at the Greenfields Sports Ground of Dave Richards, who quit after eight days, Lee Ebden, who left after five games and former manager Simon Line who returned for a brief spell at the helm.

Garner, whose appointment was announced on Thursday following an emergency meeting of the club’s board earlier in the week, arrived at the Shropshire club as Clowes’ assistant manager after working alongside him at Rangers as his number two.

Veteran player and coach Martyn Davies has been appointed as Garner’s assistant manager with Michael Flynn, the former Stafford Rangers captain who only arrived at the club last month, appointed as their new player coach.

In an interview with the Shropshire Star following his departure, Clowes said: "I just can’t commit to the degree this club needs. I’ve done what was asked of me when I came here in November – we have avoided relegation.

"But securing the future demands much, much, more and recent results have convinced me it’s time for me to acknowledge that. I’ve been here six months. Drayton’s survival in the Evo-Stik League South was achieved over the first four.

"I thought at that point we could push on and build together, but that’s not been the case. The final two months of the season have been poor, no, terrible. I wish the club well and all the best for the future."

Clowes, a businessman away from the game who’s also managed Newcastle Town and Alasager Town, told the paper that he did not have another football job in the pipeline.

Image courtesy of the Shropshire Star