Vikings boss jumps ship for Blues

The veteran striker stood down as manager of Goole in EVO-STIK NPL First Division North to succeed Karl Rose after the former Blues boss became the first managerial casualty of the 2016-17 EVO-STIK NPL campaign earlier this week.

Morris, 33, left Shaw Lane in February and his post as Craig Elliott’s playing assistant manager to succeed Alan Semley at the Vikings after a playing career that has seen him scoring goals for the likes of Hallam, Buxton, Droyslden, Frickley Athletic, Hucknall Town, Harrogate Town, North Ferriby and Stalybridge Celtic.

The forward, pictured, joined Shaw Lane two years ago and as well as assisting Elliott, helped fire the club to promotion from the Northern Counties East League to the EVO-STIK NPL while becoming the Ducks’ all-time top scorer.

Rose, pictured above, stood down at Westfield Lane after seeing his side suffer their fifth straight defeat since the EVO-STIK NPL's Premier Division season kicked off, last Saturday's 4-0 reverse at home to Mickelover Sports.

Appointed in May 2012 having previously managed Goole AFC himself for nearly three seasons, the former Rochdale and Barnsley professional resigned after leading the Blues to three Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup final victories in four years at the helm.

Last term, Rose guided the club to a seventh-placed finish last term, their highest ever-placing in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

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