Congleton Town have appointed former Kidsgrove Athletic boss Ryan Austin as their new first team manager.

The Bears have announced that Austin's management team will include former Wales international Richard Duffy and former Port Vale favourite Anthony Griffith.

Austin, (35), parted ways with Kidsgrove last month after being in charge in his first managerial position since August 2016.

He said: "I am really excited and looking forward to joining the club. I'm sure with the existing squad and some quality additions we can look forward to a successful season and take the club up the football pyramid."

Duffy, (34), who played under Austin at Kidsgrove, will continue in a player-management role.

Griffith has been running team affairs since the departure of joint-manager Phil Hadland, up until the lockdown.

The UEFA 'B' licensed coach will be retained on the staff as a player-coach at the North West Counties Premier Division club.

The 33-year-old is looking forward to the new chapter at the club: "I am delighted for Ryan and Richard in joining the club.

advertisement

"They both come with a wealth of experience in playing and coaching. I will relish the chance to learn from both of them."

After speaking to a number of other interested parties, Chris Rowley, Congleton's director of football, said Austin was the "outstanding candidate".

He added: "Ryan is overwhelmingly the right appointment for The Bears.

"He has extensive footballing experience and although relatively new to management is a winner, has a real ambition to improve players, play attractive attacking football and to challenge for honours next season."

The club stated that Austin had opportunities to manage higher up the pyramid, but he can see the unlocked potential of a club with the resources it now has at its disposal.

A new working arrangement with Congleton Vale and Congleton Rovers, will see all the teams play in the new Congleton Town colours, create a much larger footballing structure in the town and give access to new training facilities.