Workington Reds will be looking for a new manager next season after the decision by Danny Grainger to call time on his role at Borough Park.
Grainger has decided to step down when his contract expires and will leave the club at the end of the current campaign.
This was his second spell in charge of the Reds and he was one of very few Workington managers who have actually managed to put a promotion on their CV during their time at the club.
Reds won the play-off final last season against Runcorn Linnets to earn promotion to the NPL Premier Division. In his first season Reds had led the table comfortably when play came to an end through Covid.
He left to join Falkirk as assistant manager before returning at the start of last season and see the job through that he had started earlier.
Reds announced the news on Sunday evening, saying they were greatly disappointed to lose Grainger upon the conclusion of his contract.
The club statement read: “Over two spells in the role Danny has played a huge part in our recent resurgence both on and off the field.
“Although he will be ultimately be remembered for achieving the Holy Grail of promotion last season, we also acknowledge his continued hard work this term which has seen us hold our own at at the higher level which is much stronger than when we were last at this level.
“The board fully understands Danny’s decision and he will leave with our best wishes and thanks for two wonderful seasons. Of course both Danny and the board remain fully committed to bringing the current campaign to a successful conclusion over the coming weeks.”
Grainger added: “This isn’t a decision that has come easy but I feel it will be the right time to leave the club at the end of my contract and see what the future holds for me personally.
“I wanted to give the club plenty of time to find my successor which is why we made the decision to announce this news so soon.
“We have nine League games left and will be giving absolutely everything to collect as many points as possible.”
The Reds board say they now have plenty of time to recruit Grainger’s successor before the start of next season and the search will start right away.
