Shawbridge striker steps up to coach

Clitheroe striker Sam Heap has stepped up to become a first team coach at the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's Blues.

The First Division North outfit announced on Monday that the 28-year-old, pictured, had agreed to replace Jason Jones who's been forced to leave Shawbridge due to a change in his work and family circumstances. Heap left his post as the head coach of North West Counties League outfit Nelson's development squad to work alongside Blues manager Simon Garner.

Garner paid tribute to Jones and revealed that he'd already earmarked his replacement for a coaching role. "Myself and Ryan Parr would personally like to thank Jason for his contribution to the team and will look forward to seeing him at Shawbridge from time to time on the terraces," said Garner. "Sam will fit in well to the management team and was someone I had already considered when I initially took the job. He has good coaching experience and is a good lad who is already well-known to the Clitheroe faithful."