Atherton Collieries part ways with manager

This comes following a difficult start to the NPL West Division season, seeing Colls pick up one point from their opening five games and scoring just once in that time.

The former FC United of Manchester captain arrived at the club ahead of the 2023/24 campaign.

Atherton went on to finish bottom of the Northern Premier League last season - winning just seven league games and conceding 96 goals in 40 games, 11 more than their nearest rival - and were subsequently demoted to Step 4.

Club chairman Paul Gregory said: “I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to David for his hard work at the club over the last year.

"David joined the club in very difficult circumstances and has been determined in his desire to build a competitive team throughout.

“It has been a pleasure working with David, as well as James Wightman and Tony Dunn. We also with to place on record our thanks to David’s wider management team. We wish them all the best for the future.”

Atherton are next in action away at Consett on Saturday 7 September, in the first qualifying round of this season's FA Trophy.