Workington Reds will arrive at Stocksbridge Park Steels tomorrow with their hosts now looking for a new manager.
Reds themselves have still to appoint a successor to Darren Edmondson, but Steels lost their own boss yesterday.
By coincidence he is going to Guiseley – who parted company with their last manager at the same time as Edmondson left Workington.
Ian Richards joins Guiseley after impressive work with the Sheffield club. Guiseley say he has established a strong reputation for developing both individual players and competitive squads.
Last season Richards steered the Steels to promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division for the first time in eleven years.
He is moving to Guiseley with long time assistant manager Andy Ring and first team coach Pete Goldstraw.
The trio have signed contracts until May 2028 and will take a watching brief from the stands on Saturday when Guiseley host Hednesford Town at Nethermoor.
Guiseley’s statement said: “The vacant managerial position attracted a wide range of quality candidates.
“Alongside assessing a list of over 20 credible applicants, club officials assessed possible managers around our level of the game.
“This was prior to moving onto interview with an exceptionally competitive shortlist of candidates.
“In Ian’s time in charge with Stocksbridge Park Steels he evolved the team from a mid table side to play off challengers in two of his three full seasons at Bracken Moor.
“In the 2024/25 season his charges finished third before winning the playoff final on penalties and securing promotion to the Northern Premier League to compete in the third tier for the first time since 2014.
“Prior to his appointment at Stocksbridge Park Steels, Ian spent eleven years with Penistone Church FC, taking the club from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League through to the Premier Division of the Northern Counties East League.
“Penistone finished second to Worksop Town in the 2018/19 season and the club were two points from the summit in 2019/20 before the pandemic put a halt to the season.
“Penistone’s rise through the league coincided with five cup finals and three trophies whilst reaching the FA Cup third qualifying round in their first ever entry into the competition.
“Richards’ last eight games have brought seven wins and one draw with Stocksbridge however it is also his longer term body of work and reputation for developing players and forming competitive hard working squads that achieve results, which were key factors that led to the clubs’ decision on the appointment.”
In their statement Stocksbridge directors said: “We would like to place on record our thanks, for all their hard work, to Ian, Andy and Pete, who took over in September 2021.
“Over the past four years together we have achieved two play-off position finishes, including third place, promotion from Step 4 last season, competing in the second round of the FA Trophy for the first time in 22 years and establishing ourselves as a Step 3 club this season.
“We at the club wish Ian, Andy and Pete all the best for the future. They will always be welcome at Bracken Moor.
“The first team will be managed and supported by an interim team of Jordan Lemon, Kurtis Turner and Mark Fretwell, whilst the club look for a permanent appointment.”
Workington are closing in on their appointment and expect to announce the new man next week.
Bottom of the League (21st) the Reds are eight points behind both Stockbridge (17th) and Guiseley (19th).
