Clitheroe Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Garner as its new manager. Simon is well known to Clitheroe fans as a player and is currently captain of Northwich Victoria. Altham based Simon is also intimately familiar with the Northern non-league game having worked with many current managers in his previous spells as a player.

Chair Anne Barker said “Simon is an exciting proposition because of his experience at this level of football and higher. He has a catalogue of contacts having played at FC Halifax Town, FC United and Chorley FC to name but a few, but it is his own ambition and drive, which will help him to make the most of this opportunity. Simon joins a growing number of managers in this league who have been given a chance to move from playing to management and reflects previous club policy. I am delighted to welcome Simon as our manager”.

Simon Garner said “I am both delighted and very proud to accept the manager’s position at Clitheroe FC, the place where it all began for me as a teenage footballer over a decade ago. The transition from player to manager has always been in my thoughts and it is an honour to be given this opportunity by the Board of Directors. I will apply the same attitude and beliefs which have served me well throughout my playing career and I am eager to make a positive contribution. I would also like to thank Chairman Jim Rushe and manager Lee Ashcroft from Northwich Victoria for allowing me to meet the Board of Clitheroe FC and to take up this post at such short notice.”

Simon will take charge of his first game on Tuesday against Wigan Robin Park in the Lancashire Trophy, before his first league fixture the following Tuesday against his former club, Northwich Victoria, at Shawbridge. He is joined by Ryan Parr as his assistant