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Record-breaker extending his stay

Record-breaker extending his stay

Marcus Newell is extending his stay as the longest-serving manager in the history of EVO-STIK League Cleethorpes Town.

Newell and assistant manager Dave Smith are looking forward to guiding the Owls for a sixth season running next term after penning new two year contracts to keep them at the EVO-STIK League South club until 2020.

The Owls boss succeeded Andy Liddell in May 2013 and has overseen an unprecedented period of success for the former Northern Counties East League outfit, his highlights including two promotions, a league cup, county silverware and appearing in the 2017 Buildbase FA Vase Final at Wembley with fellow NPL newboys South Shields.

The former Grimsby Borough midfielder, who guided the Lincolnshire club to a tenth placed finish in their first season at the highest level in their history, set a target of challenging Grimsby Town within 15 years when he took over five years ago.

In a statement on the club's website on Tuesday, he told fans he was delighted to be going nowhere and was already setting his sights on winning another promotion next season with the Owls leaving Grimsby's Bradley Football Development Centre this summer to return to their old and newly renovated Linden Homes ground.

Pictured with his management team on his appointment, Newell said: “There is no other club I would rather be at! We have had a good season in our first year at this level. With the squad we possess, plus a few additions, there is no reason why we cannot aim for the play-offs or higher in the new East Division next campaign. The move home to Linden excites me and is something that everyone connected with the Owls can look forward to.”

Cleethorpes Town vice-chairman David Mann said: “This is fantastic news to start the summer break and shows that, whilst everyone enjoys a well-earned rest, work will be going on behind the scenes to ensure both continuity and improvement. We are naturally delighted that Marcus, Dave and their team has committed for the next two years. It gives the club great stability and also shows the players that they are here to stay."

He added: "Marcus and Dave are without doubt the best management duo in the local area and we are very confident that they will steer us to further success."

Images courtesy of Craig Kendall/@CleeTownFC/Twitter

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