Craig Rouse pens new deal at Cleethorpes Town
Cleethorpes Town manager Craig Rouse has signed a new two-year deal with the club.
The 42-year-old took charge of the Owls in May 2024 following his departure from Pontefract Collieries, after guiding the club to its highest-ever finish before losing out in the play-offs.
In his first season in charge of Cleethorpes, he led them to the 2024/25 NPL East Division title, earning promotion to Step 3 for the first time in the club's history.
Since then, the Owls have made steady progress in the Premier Division under Rouse, finishing 9th in their maiden campaign last season, and now sit atop the table with seven wins from their opening 10 matches in the 2026/27 season.
Rouse boasts an impressive managerial record at Cleethorpes Town, with 58 wins from 109 games in charge, plus 28 draws and 23 defeats, culminating in a win percentage of 53.2%.
On his new contract extension with the club, Rouse said: "We’re pleased to extend our stay at the football club.
"From the day we arrived, the directors, supporters and everyone connected with the football club have made us and our families feel welcome, and for that we will always be grateful.
"On the pitch, in the two full seasons, we have made good progress, going from a mid-table Step 4 team to where we currently sit, and we will leave no stone unturned in making sure we keep moving forward.
"Thank you to the directors for trusting me and the staff to lead the football club, and thank you for the support in allowing us to assemble a group of players that we enjoy working with.
"We have a club and team to be proud of; let’s see where it takes us."