WREXHAM have appointed their former skipper Dean Keates as the club’s new boss after seeing directors Don Bircham and Barry Horne step down.
The Red Dragons have been searching for a new manager following the departure of Gary Mills earlier this month, with veteran midfielder Keates helping to take charge of the side on a caretaker basis.
The board at the Racecourse were clearly impressed by the former Walsall man, who has been turning out for Evo-Stik NPL Premier side Rushall Olympic this season.
The 38-year-old made over 150 appearances for the Dragons as a player and captained the club to FA Trophy glory in 2013.
Wrexham director John Mills said: “We are delighted to welcome Dean to Wrexham AFC as the club’s new permanent manager following his period leading the interim management team.
“As expected, there was huge interest in the position of Wrexham AFC manager but we believe we have chosen the outstanding candidate to take the club forward, to match our own aspirations and those of our supporters.
“Dean is a man with an excellent pedigree in football, he is someone who knows all about Wrexham AFC and the fans expectations and someone who has a real passion for the club. We believe has the knowledge, the drive and the determination to bring lasting success to the club as we build for a successful future.”
Keates’ appointment comes just after the news that directors Bircham and Horne had decided to step down from their roles.
The duo had been involved with the north Wales club for the past five years following the Supporters’ Trust takeover.
However, both have decided to step down with Bircham also quitting his role as chief executive at the Racecourse.
Bircham said: “Recent events with regards to performance, and the subsequent departure of our first team manager, have taken further time and as a result of that we have all now been involved in the recruitment process for a successor.
“May I take the opportunity to put on record my sincere thanks to my colleagues on the board and all the other wonderful volunteers and staff that dedicate so much time to the club.”
Former Wales international Horne, meanwhile, added: “I have been considering my position on the board of Wrexham football club for several months now and yesterday, ahead of a round of managerial interviews, I decided the time was right to step down.
“I would like to thank those people who gave me the opportunity to represent and serve the club. It has been a privilege and an honour. I am sorry that during my time we have not achieved our ambition of promotion back into the Football League.
“I may no longer be a board member but I will continue to be a supporter of Wrexham Football Club in every sense of the word. I wish everyone at the club the very best of luck and hopefully success is just around the corner.”
