Parkinson switches to newboys

Parkinson, pictured, stood down at the Dabbers to take over at the Robins less than 72 hours after seeing his side narrowly lose out at runners-up Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night in the semi-finals of the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight promotion play-offs.

The relegated Robins moved for Parkinson after deciding not to extend the interim spell of Matt Doughty. Parkinson will continue to be assisted by Neil Sorvel after he elected to follow him to Moss Lane.

After his departure, the Dabbers paid tribute to Parkinson who led them into the play-offs after taking the club on a record-breaking run to the semi-finals of the Buildbase FA Trophy last season.

A Nantwich Town spokesman said: “Everyone at the club would like to thank Phil for the tireless work he has put in over the two and a half years he has been manager with the Dabbers. He has helped turn the club into a promotion contender in a very short space of time, guiding us to our highest position in eight years, not to mention making it to the 4th Qualifying Round of the FA Cup, the final of the Cheshire Senior Club final and the semi-finals of the FA Trophy. We wish him all the best in his new role with the Robins.”

Parkinson is set to take a watching brief as his new team play their final game of the season at Tamworth on Saturday and the Robins are backing the thirty-six year-old sports science lecturer as the man to turn around their fortunes after his track record in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Premier Division with the Dabbers over the last two years.

In a statement in their website, the Robins said: "This has been one of the most important decisions we have ever had to make and our supporters should know we have not taken it lightly. We feel that we are appointing a manager with a proven track record of improvement over a statistically significant period, both in terms of results and player development."

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