Kendal Town, facing up to life in the North West Counties have appointed Jimmy Marshall as their new manager for the 2022/23 season.
Marshall, 37, is fresh from leading Milnthorpe Corinthians to the West Lancashire Division One title, although he did have a spell in Dave Foster’s management team when he was in charge of the Mintcakes a few years ago.
A train driver by profession, Marshall wants to get Kendal back on track and is looking to get back to the NPL West at the first time of asking.
His Milnthorpe side had led the West Lancs Division One table since October and clinched the title at the end of April with a 4-0 win against Millom.
After his appointment Marshall said: “I am grateful for the opportunity the club has given me. It’s a challenge I am going to relish and look forward to bringing the good times back to the clubs.”
As well as being part of the coaches under Fister – who is still involved at Parkside Road – Marshall also managed Caton in the North Lancs League.
Michael O’Neill, the Kendal chairman, said: “Jimmy is someone we’ve admired for a while and he ticks all the boxes for us.
“His teams play attractive football and he understands what we are trying to build at the club. We’d also like to thank the good people at Milnthorpe who gave us permission to speak to Jimmy.”
Milnthorpe were the outstanding side in a competitive division, winning 22 of their 28 league games and rounding it off in style easing to the trophy against Millom.
The Corinthians’ title charge was spearheaded by 28-goal top scorer Steve Yawson a former Morecambe Under-18s forward who was in scintillating form all season.
The 21-year-old, who works at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool, was tempted to Milnthorpe after a phone call from Marshall, who worked with him at Kendal Town.
Marshall’s contacts in the game also helped him secure the services of another non-league player of some repute.
Former Lancaster City forward Tom Kilifin played five times for Milnthorpe to help see them over the line – including playing a starring role in a 3-0 win at Wyre.
Kendal will return to training on June 21 and their first friendly will be against Garstang on July 2 with the first League game on July 30. The FA Cup preliminary round is the following week.
“It’s a quick turn around this time and we want to be up and running. Jimmy is already planning his squad and will be talking to our players from last season that he would like to keep.
After so much doom and gloom last season we are all looking forward to moving forward again next season,” said O’Neill.
