Pic: James Williamson
ALFRETON TOWN boss Nicky Law says he will leave the club “with a really heavy heart” after accepting a job with Premier League side Burnley.
Former Grimsby Town, Bradford City, Chesterfield and Buxton manager Law will depart the Reds after the trip to Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday, February 4 to become Burnley’s head of national recruitment for their Under 17-23s.
Law has been in charge of Alfreton for almost ten years after being appointed in May 2007, leaving Buxton after winning the Evo-Stik NPL North.
The Reds’ longest serving boss has experienced a number of highs and lows in the Alfreton dugout, leading them to the Conference North title in 2010-11.
Law helped establish the club in Non-League‘s top tier but they were relegated back to Step 2 on the final day of the 2014-15 campaign after four seasons in the Conference.
Alfreton have found life difficult since their return to the National League North, finishing tenth last season and they currently sit 18th and just four points above the relegation places.
Despite his intentions to fight on and help the club avoid relegation to Step 3, the offer from Burnley was too enticing and Law will leave the Impact Arena after the next three games.
Law told the club’s website: “The offer came in and it was to start on February 1 but I’ve been allowed to stay with Alfreton until February 4 to allow a smooth transition.
“It’s been an extremely tough decision for me, this club means a heck of a lot and I’ve been through so much, the highs and the lows.
“I’ve had such a great relationship with the chairman (Wayne Bradley) who has been a great boss and a great friend to me outside football. I had a three hour conversation with Wayne explaining the situation and the offer from this club and in honesty I needed to think about the next ten years and where I want to be.
“Being able to move to a club like Burnley and deal with national recruitment for young players and in turn develop young players was a great challenge for me and one I wanted to take on.
“I go with a really heavy heart, it’s been so tough to even think of leaving Alfreton, it’s been nearly ten years, ten years in May and this club is a part of me and I will never forget everything I’ve achieved. They say all good things must come to an end and it’s one of those things.”
