Gary Hayward was unveiled as the new manager of BetVictor Northern Premier League Buxton on Monday within hours of standing down at Hednesford Town.
The BetVictor Southern League‘s Pitmen are looking for a new manager after Hayward, pictured, resigned to succeed the recently departed Paul Phillips at Silverlands.
Hayward’s appointment comes after former Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Sheffield United manager Danny Wilson took temporary charge of Buxton’s 1-0 reverse at home to Mickleover Sports in the NPL’s Premier Division on Saturday.
The new Bucks boss and his number two Mark Ward were thanked by the Pitmen for helping to turn around the club’s campaign last term before his appointment in April as manager. They left with Hednesford Town sitting fourth in the BetVictor Southern League Central Division’s table.
Gary Hayward and Mark Ward depart Keys Park.: https://t.co/Hfghb1iVHG
— Hednesford Town FC (@Hednesford_Town) December 2, 2019
A club statement read: “Gary Hayward and Mark Ward have today resigned from their management roles at Hednesford Town FC in order to pursue an opportunity elsewhere.
“We would like to thank Gary for coming into the club at a difficult time last season and galvanising the side to comfortably avoid relegation.
“This season, alongside Mark, Gary has built a squad which is challenging at the top end of the BetVictor Premier League Central. We wish them both success in the future.”
Former Eastwood Town and Worksop Town manager Hayward initially arrived at Keys Park in December 2018 as number two to former Blues defender Nicky Eaden – helping him guide the Pitmen away from danger and into mid-table.
He was promoted to interim manager when Hednesford parted company with Eaden in April.
Club announcement: The club are delighted to announce that Gary Hayward has been appointed first team manager! https://t.co/i5Pv4U8CFF#UpTheBucks
— Buxton Football Club (@Buxton_FC) December 2, 2019
The Bucks said: “Buxton FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Hayward as first team manager in succession to Paul Phillips.
“Gary held a similar position at Hednesford since last April, guiding Town to a high place in the recently-created Central Division and accordingly has received the blessing on the move from the club’s owner, Steve Price.”
Hayward told the Bucks website: ”Even though it was heart-wrenching to leave Hednesford, I’m really looking forward to getting started immediately at Buxton, hoping to hit the ground running and putting a smile back on the players’ and supporters’ faces.
Wilson, 59, managed for three seasons in the Premier League and was last at the helm at then League One Chesterfield in 2017.
Despite not managing a change in fortunes, the 59-year-old former Northern Ireland midfielder was thanked by the Buck’s ahead of Hayward’s appointment on Monday night.
A club spokesperson said: “The club would like to thank former Premiership manager Danny Wilson for taking charge of the side for the visit of Mickleover Sports yesterday and for his work for the club in training last week.
Stuart Beavon scored the only goal of the game on Saturday to complete a first ever double over Buxton for Mickleover.
Image courtesy if YouTube
