Powell is back as new Skem boss

The experienced Powell, pictured, was named on Sunday night as the successor to Alan Rogers following his exit from the EVO-STIK League North club on Wednesday after their poor start to the 2017-18 season. He'll take charge on his return to the league for the first time at Goole AFC on Saturday.

UEFA B coach Powell, who takes over with the club third from bottom after Saturday's 4-1 defeat at home to Scarborough Athletic, is no stranger to the touchlines of the EVO-STIK League or the North West Counties League having guided Ashton Athletic from the local leagues to Step 5 during a four year period.

After moving on to be first team coach and head of player development at Ashton United, he was number two to Danny Johnson at Radcliffe and was Sean Reid's assistant during Warrington Town's historic FA Cup run in 2014. As a manager, he also saved Prescot Cables from relegation five years during a two year spell at Valerie Park from 2011 and was named as Burscough's new boss in July 2016.

The new Skem boss told fans in a statement on the club's website: "As a local man, I am delighted to have such an opportunity offered to me. I will look to use the experiences from my time at Radcliffe, Warrington, Ashton Athletic and Burscough to help the club. I am looking forward working with the players and preparing for next week's game at Goole AFC."

Skelmersdale United chairman Paul Griffiths urged supporters to get behind their new manager after the assistance he's already given them at the start of the season.

Griffiths said: "Dave is well respected by all within the Non-League community and at interview expressed all of the ambitions that we as a club have to move forward. He has a strong work ethic and a healthy commitment to the job. He was hard at work within an hour of his appointment, organising players and training sessions ahead of his first game away to Goole next weekend.

"Dave was a presence at the club at the start of the season, offering expertise and support to the team and board and we will repay such support by offering all the assistance he requires. As a true fan of the club, I know you will all get behind Dave and give him the lift only you as supporters can do."

Former Nottingham Forest left-back Rogers was appointed in February as the successor to the long-serving Tommy Lawson. He blamed his increasing work commitments as a Burnley and Football Association coach for his decision to step down and had agreed to stay at the helm until Skem could make an appointment.

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