Ward returns to lead survival fight

Peter Ward has returned to Kidsgrove Athletic as the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League club’s third manager of the season two years after being sacked after six years at the helm.

Ward, pictured, stood down as assistant manager at First Division South rivals Leek Town to replace Paul Moore who resigned last week after succeeding Neil Gill in September following Athletic’s poor start to the season.

In a statement released by the Staffordshire club on Friday, officials said Ward’s arrival was part of a change of regime at Hollinwood Road, which has also seen the return of Mick Fitzjohn as chairman this week.

Former Lancaster City and Nantwich Town boss Ward managed Kigdsgrove during the club’s North West Counties Football League days before returning as joint manager alongside with Paul Ogden in 2006.

Ward, who has brought in former Kidsgrove manager Ant Buckle and former player Wayne Johnson as part of his back-room staff, told the Stoke Sentinel on Friday that the chance to get back into management was too good to turn down and that he was looking forward to the challenge at the bottom of the table club.

He said: "I’ve had a great time at Leek. The manager Lee Casswell and the other members of the management team Matt Beeby and Darren Baker have been fantastic to work with. The club is in a good position, but I just felt it was a good opportunity to go back to a club I used to manage.

"We are bottom for a reason and that’s because we have not been good enough. There has been a lot of negativity surrounding the club over the past couple of years and I want to change that. I want the fans to get back behind the club and help us to climb off the foot of the table."

Kidsgrove Athletic are at home to Tividale on Saturday and Ward added: "We are not suddenly going to get better overnight, it will take time, but if we all work hard then hopefully the results will come and we can start to climb the table."

Leek Town say they are sorry to lose their assistant manager but wish him all the best. “The club are very sad to see Peter go, but would like to place on record our thanks for all the hard work he done for the club over the past few years,” said the club in a statement on their website.

"Wardy has worked tirelessly for the club supporting it in many ways and will be greatly missed. Everyone at Harrison Park wishes him all the best for the future."

Image courtesy of www.stokesentinel.co.uk

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