Richards resignation rocks Greenfields

Dave Richards has been forced to quit as the new manager of Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Market Drayton Town before ever taking charge of a game, competitive or otherwise.

In a statement released on the club's website on Friday and confirmed on their Twitter feed, the First Division North club expressed their 'sadness' that Richards had been forced to step down to due to work commitments.

Former Shawbury manager Richard goes just a week after taking charge and nearly two months ahead of the new campaign's kick off on Saturday August 17. Richards had succeeded previous Greenfields boss Jimmy Mullen who left towards the end of last term with the club's Evo-Stik NPL survival assured.

As a result of the news, the club have called off next Tuesday night's pre-season against Childs Ercall and say they hope to have a new manager in place ahead of their game against Welsh side TNS on Monday 8 July.