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Belford named as successor to Mills
Former Tamworth and Atherstone manager Dale Belford was named as successor to Gary Mills at EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Rugby Town on Wednesday.
Belford was in charge of the Lambs, pictured, on a permanent basis for 16 months until September 2014.
Rookie boss Mills tendered his resignation following a disappointing start to the season that saw the club win just one of their opening seven league games in First Division South.
In a statement confirming Belford's appointment, Valley officials said he would be assisted by Steve Farmer, his right-hand man during his time at the Lamb Ground.
Both Belford, 48, and Farmer are ex-Valley players, with goalkeeper Belford featuring for the club in the late eighties as part of a long Non-League playing career, after starting at Aston Villa as a youngster.
Farmer was part of Town's 2005-06 squad before a bad injury ended his spell at Butlin Road. The 35-year-old has also held management roles at Nuneaton Griff and Bedworth United - leading the Greenbacks to promotion from the Southern League Central Division in 2012.
Rugby Town director Neil Melvin welcomed the pair on board and thanked Mills for his services in the club's statement.
The Valley head to third placed Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday in their first game in charge and Melvin said: "Dale has great experience, and he will bring with him a good set of contacts and knowledge of the Non-League pyramid as a whole.
"We thank Gary for his efforts during his short time at the club, and wish him well in the future. He didn't feel it was the right opportunity for him here anymore and that is disappointing, but it is better to establish that seven games into the season so we can make a fresh start with a new man in charge.
"The short term aim for Dale will of course be to steady the ship and hopefully guide us through the important FA Cup game next weekend. In the long term, we hope we can build a squad that can compete successfully in this division."
Mills' assistant manager Craig Adams has also left the club, although the ex-Bedford manager lead the Valley into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Saturday thanks to a 3-2 victory at top flight Ilkeston FC.
Melvin added: "We would like to thank Craig for staying on to look after the team at Ilkeston, and also acknowledge the great job done by coach Dan Gibson in taking charge at Belper on Tuesday evening."
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Rookie boss Mills tendered his resignation following a disappointing start to the season that saw the club win just one of their opening seven league games in First Division South.
In a statement confirming Belford's appointment, Valley officials said he would be assisted by Steve Farmer, his right-hand man during his time at the Lamb Ground.
Both Belford, 48, and Farmer are ex-Valley players, with goalkeeper Belford featuring for the club in the late eighties as part of a long Non-League playing career, after starting at Aston Villa as a youngster.
Farmer was part of Town's 2005-06 squad before a bad injury ended his spell at Butlin Road. The 35-year-old has also held management roles at Nuneaton Griff and Bedworth United - leading the Greenbacks to promotion from the Southern League Central Division in 2012.
Rugby Town director Neil Melvin welcomed the pair on board and thanked Mills for his services in the club's statement.
The Valley head to third placed Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday in their first game in charge and Melvin said: "Dale has great experience, and he will bring with him a good set of contacts and knowledge of the Non-League pyramid as a whole.
"We thank Gary for his efforts during his short time at the club, and wish him well in the future. He didn't feel it was the right opportunity for him here anymore and that is disappointing, but it is better to establish that seven games into the season so we can make a fresh start with a new man in charge.
"The short term aim for Dale will of course be to steady the ship and hopefully guide us through the important FA Cup game next weekend. In the long term, we hope we can build a squad that can compete successfully in this division."
Mills' assistant manager Craig Adams has also left the club, although the ex-Bedford manager lead the Valley into the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup on Saturday thanks to a 3-2 victory at top flight Ilkeston FC.
Melvin added: "We would like to thank Craig for staying on to look after the team at Ilkeston, and also acknowledge the great job done by coach Dan Gibson in taking charge at Belper on Tuesday evening."
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | The NPL group on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/
