Delwyn Humphreys is new Ellesmere Rangers boss
Delwyn Humphreys was today handed the challenge of leading lowly Ellesmere Rangers to survival – and enlisted the help of another familiar Shropshire footballing figure.
Humphreys has been named as the new manager of the Midland Alliance basement boys just 48 hours after former bosses Richard Brown and Richard Gardner were dismissed.
And former Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United midfielder Steve Jagielka – brother of Everton and England star Phil – has agreed to help Humphreys out, at least on a short-term basis.
"Steve has agreed to come and give me a hand to start off with," said Humphreys, who coached Jagielka as a player at Market Drayton Town and Hednesford. "Hopefully he will be playing as well and we will see how it goes."
A well respected non-league marksman as a player, most notably with Kidderminster, Humphreys has had spells managing Shawbury and Shifnal and has been No.2 to Simon Line at both Market Drayton and Hednesford.
And, despite Ellesmere being rooted to the bottom of the Alliance with just two points from 11 games, Humphreys is relishing his return to football after almost two years out of the game. "I've been out to watch a few games and you get that buzz back," he said,
"It will be a tough one to start with and you would like to be in a better position.
"But it's an excellent club with some smashing people behind the scenes."
Brown and Gardner were dismissed as joint managers after failing to win any of their 15 games at the helm.
And Ellesmere director of football Alan Davis is delighted with the appointment.
"Delwyn's got good experience and we didn't really want anybody else," he added.
Humphreys and Jagielka met the squad at training last night and will take charge for the first time in Saturday's home clash with Boldmere St Michaels.
