Jimmy Mullen steps down as Market Drayton boss
Jimmy Mullen has stepped down as manager of Market Drayton Town – because he believes his rescue mission is accomplished.
He said: "I have done what I promised, put them back on an even keel, and now it's time for someone else to take over.
"It might seem a shock decision but it was always going to happen some time – and this just seems the right time.
"By stepping down now, it gives whoever comes in plenty of breathing space to prepare for next season.
"Relegation's not an issue so there's no pressure there. We have now got a great group of lads doing well.
"They have won four of their last five matches and there's half a dozen left for whoever takes over to run the rule over things."
Front-runner for the job must be Andy Cooke, the club's director of football who partnered Mullen in last season's effort to save Drayton's Evo-Stik First Division South status.
The men had first met when Mullen, then manager of Burnley, plucked Cooke out of Welsh non-league soccer to launch him.
It led him on a high-scoring career in league football that included spells with Stoke City and Shrewsbury Town.
Both live locally and when Mullen, who ousted as Walsall manager previously, agreed to aid Drayton on a temporary basis last season, Cooke was the first man he turned to for help.
When Mullen took over, Town had just been beaten 7-1 at home by Loughborough Dynamo and were six points adrift af the bottom.
In the end, Town comfortably beat the drop. And, while not everything has gone their way this campaign, the prime target – survival – has been achieved with Town now up to 14th in the table.
A passionate pro as a top-flight player, coach and manager for more than 40 years, Mullen has always wanted to return to full-time football.
He said: "It's something I need. I helped form Drayton Town and managed them early on so it was wonderful being able to come back and help out.
"I have enjoyed it enormously and made some wonderful friends. I have got nothing lined up but it's time for me to try my luck full time again."
Drayton will be without Mullen for the first time tomorrow at home to Rainworth Miners Welfare.
