Striker steps up as Goulding's new number two

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Burscough have handed striker Mark Beesley their assistant manager's post until the end of the campaign.

Burscough-born Beesley, pictured, stepped up on Thursday to become manager Derek Goulding's right hand man at Victoria Park. The 33-year-old's promotion to player/assistant manager fills the void left by Phil Backhouse's move to Rochdale FC's Academy earlier in the season.

Beesley is vastly experienced having kicked off his career at Preston North End in 1999 before spells at Chester, Hereford, Forest Green Rovers, AFC Telford, Fleetwood Town, Southport, Lancaster City, Cambridge United, York, Altrincham, Nantwich Town, Hednesford Town, Warrington Town and Sklemersdale United.

In a statement on the club's website, Linnets officials congratulated Beesley. Goulding, who felt it was right to promote from within the First Division North club, said: "Mark is a very experienced player at both Football League and Non-League level. The younger lads in the dressing room really look up to 'Bees' and I believe he can really add to the team in both training and on matchdays."