Ellesmere Rangers boss Richard Brown turns down Market Drayton Town approach

Brown has guided Ellesmere, who beat Bridgnorth 9-2 at the weekend, to seventh in the West Midlands Regional Premier Division this season and Drayton have made it clear they want an ambitious manager with similar credentials.

Drayton have been looking for a new boss since Tuesday’s departure of Carl Abbott, who joined Leicestershire-based club Quorn just two months after his controversial appointment in place of Greenfields legend Martyn Davies.

Club secretary Rod Pope confirmed the club are looking to fill the post quickly after Brown’s decision.

“The club spoke to Richard Brown of Ellesmere but he’s not accepted the job, finances came into it,” said Pope. “We’re hoping by the start of next week, hopefully Monday, the club will have someone in place.

“Director of football Mick Murphy will be in charge for tomorrow’s match against Basford United.”

Town’s chairman Ben Cockram also commented, he said: “Of course we are disappointed to learn Carl has decided to move on so soon after joining the club, but that’s football at this level.”

“We wish him all the best at his new club and they are incredibly lucky to have such an ambitious manager at the helm.

“The directors and I stand by the decision to appoint him; it was time to move on from the club’s chaotic past and, while it is regretful that we have to revisit our plans so soon, we are looking forward to moving on with an equally ambitious manager as soon as possible.”

Abott’s short tenure at the club was ill-fated. Players protested against the sacking of Davies and he won just two of his 10 games in charge. They currently sit 17th in the Evo-Stik South league table. They’ve lost three league games on the bounce and have won just five out of their 20 league games this season.