The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
It’s all change at Moulton Harrox where reserve team manager Kev Nottingham is stepping up to take over first team duties.
While not leaving the club entirely the previous management team of Nigel Steadman and his assistant Paul Crowson are stepping away from their roles.
The club stalwarts took over from Dave Panton after the 2015-16 ChromaSport Peterborough and District Football League title winning season, initially on a caretaker basis and impressed by re-building the first team.
They guided Moulton to third in the same league the following season and second last time around.
But the pair have decided to take a back seat going forward John Ball will take charge of the hugely successful reserves who last season convincingly won Division One for the second year running.
Chairman Stuart Manning, said: “Kev has stepped up to first team manager from the reserves.
“It’s come about as Nigel and Paul don’t want to commit 100 per cent for every week going forward.
“Nigel has his own business which he’s pretty busy with a lot of the time and he felt it was best to take a sideways step.
“John will manage the reserves having played for them for the previous few seasons having been with Bourne Town Reserves before that.
“We’d like to thank Nigel and Paul for all they’ve done for the club and look forward to the new campaigns with Kev and John in charge.”
Nottingham has been involved with local football for a number of years and previous to Moulton oversaw Spalding United’s U18s and reserve sides.
He said of becoming Moulton’s first team manager: “It’s a really good opportunity and I’m looking forward to it.
“Next season is about following on from what they did in that last campaign but hoping to do a little bit better.
“The league has got to be the priority. I think Netherton (last year’s champions) were a one off and it will be interesting to see if they will be strong again this year.
“I’m just hoping we’ll have a good season and look to be in contention for that title.
“We’ve kept everybody from last year and we’re also hoping to bring in one or two others.
“Hopefully we’ll see a few more new faces when we start training on Wednesday and going forwards.
“There’s a few in the reserves that are capable of making the step up to the first team. The door is open for everybody and we will see how it goes.”
Any new players are welcome to attend training with the Broad Lane club, the first session being at 1pm on Saturday, June 30. Sessions will be at 7pm on Wednesdays thereafter.
Moulton Harrox have also announced a number of pre-season friendlies ahead of their latest ChromaSport Peterborough and District Premier Division campaign.
Nottingham’s side take on Swineshead at home on Friday, July 13 (ko 7.15pm) visit Wyberton on Tuesday, July 17 and then host Wisbech St Mary on July 20 and March Town on Tuesday, July 24. Kicks offs unless otherwise stated are at 7.30pm.
The league season itself kicks off with a trip to Tydd for a 1.30pm kick off as part of a ground hopping weekend on Saturday July 28.
Ahead of their Division One season, Moulton Reserves will take on Kirton (home 7pm July 11), Holbeach Bank (home 7pm July 18, Whaplode Drove (away 3pm July 21), Old Dons (away 6.30pm July 25), Railway Athletic (away 3pm July 28) and Wyberton Reserves (home, 7pm July 31).
