Tooth is first casualty of campaign

Appointed by the Pitmen back in May as the successor to Gary Birch, the former Sutton Coldfield Town boss, pictured, left Keys Park 48 hours after his side went down to their fourth league defeat of the campaign, Monday night's 2-0 loss at Stourbridge in the EVO-STIK League's top flight.

The Pitmen, who also went out of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday after a 2-0 defeat at Boston Town in the First Qualifying Round, confirmed Tooth's departure on Wednesday night in a brief statement on their official website and Twitter account @Hednesford_Town.

Confirming his departure less than a month into the new season, the club said: "Hednesford Town Football Club can this evening confirm that manager Neil Tooth has parted company with the football club. This comes following two days of discussions between the relevant parties. We would like to thank Neil for his efforts while at Keys Park and we wish him well for the future."

Tooth returned to EVO-STIK League management six months after leaving the Royals in November 2016 to succeed Birch who stepped down citing work commitments after securing the club's top flight status before taking charge of Midland League Premier outfit Walsall Wood.

When appointed, Tooth's successor will hope to build on a record of two wins, two defeats and three defeats so far that has left the Pitmen in 17th spot with eight points from their first seven outings.

Boston Town are proving to be an early bogey side for managers this season. After their giant-killing helped account for Tooth's exit, Wisbech Town's Dick Creasey handed in his resignation as Fenmen boss on Tuesday night to end his third spell of nearly three years only hours after his side were beaten 3-1 at home by the Poachers.

Image courtesy of YouTube

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