Former Cheltenham Town, Crawley Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town and Solihull Moors boss Mark Yates has been unveiled as the new manager of Stourbridge.
Yates, who left Kidderminster towards the end of last season, was named as the successor to Ian Long at the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division Central club at lunchtime on Friday.
Long, who left the Glassboys by ‘mutual consent’ on Monday, returned to Alvechurch on Thursday after Dean Holtham stood aside to make way for the return of the most successful manager in Church’s history.
New Glassboys boss Yates, pictured, will be assisted at the War Memorial Athletic Ground by Neil Howarth, the former Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town and Telford United defender.
Mark Yates appointed as new Stourbridge FC managerhttps://t.co/1jr4xpSulr pic.twitter.com/5Jt8tIEmCq
— Stourbridge FC (@StourbridgeFC) February 28, 2020
According to a club statement, caretaker boss Alex Nicholls, with the support of Lee Brown and James Wren, will still take the helm on Saturday when the Glassboys host Lowestoft Town before Yates takes charge for the first time at Rushall Olympic on Saturday week (March 7).
Glassboys chairman Andy Pountney told fans: “I was delighted to be contacted by Mark earlier this week and thrilled that following discussions he has accepted the role with Neil [Howarth] coming in as his assistant. Mark’s track record speaks for itself. I look forward to working with them both.
“I received a host of phone calls and messages from people interested in the vacancy, which was very heartening.
“I’m sincerely apologise that I haven’t been able to get back in touch with everybody since, but it’s been a particularly busy week trying to sort out football matters on top of running my own business!”
He added: “I would also like to thank Alex, Lee and James for stepping into the breach at short notice ahead of the Royston match on Tuesday. Please give them your full support against Lowestoft.”
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Image courtesy of Tom King Photography
