Rangers land Alty legend Heathcote

Graham Heathcote has been unveiled as the new manager of Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Stafford Rangers.

Altrincham legend Heathcote, pictured, was named as the Premier Division club’s new manager on Friday afternoon, just over 24 hour after the departure of Andy Mutch. The former Wolves striker left by ‘mutual consent’ on Thursday after taking over from Greg Clowes in September following the club’s fifth defeat on the spin, the 5-2 reverse at home to Rushall Olympic on New Year’s Day.

As their third manager of the season, Heathcote has a massive task on his hand to save Rangers, currently second from bottom and 17 points adrift of safety with 18 games remaining, from relegation. He will be at Marston Road for Saturday’s game against fellow strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels but the team will be selected by head coach Martin Prentice before he formally takes over for the trip to Blyth Spartans next weekend.

The 59-year-old former midfielder is well respected throughout the game. As well as making more than 500 appearances for Altrincham and scoring nearly 150 goals, he spent eight years managing the club, masterminding their return to the Conference Premier in 2006 before leaving in 2010 during a major shake-up at Moss Lane that also saw the departure then Chairman Geoff Goodwin.

Heathcote, who’s enjoyed a long friendship with Stafford President and Director of Football Jon Downing, was previously linked with the Marston Road job in 2010 following his departure from Altrincham.

In a club statement announcing his arrival to fans, the Rangers board said: "The club are pleased to announce the appointment of Graham Heathcote as the new first team football manager. We trust that you will all support Graham is his new role and wish him success."