Ant Danylyk replaces Lee Casswell as manager of Leek Town

Pic: Leek Town FC

ANT DANYLYK says the opportunity to replace Lee Casswell as manager of Leek Town was just too good to turn down.

Casswell resigned as manager of the Blues on Thursday after five years at the club during which they made the Evo-Stik NPL South play-offs three times.

Tuesday’s 4-1 home defeat to local rivals Newcastle Town left them seven points adrift of the top five and Casswell decided it was time to step down.

His assistant Danylyk, 33, was asked to take the reins and duly accepted and the new boss reckons his side can still creep into the play-off places.

He told The Sentinel: “When the board approached me and asked if I would like to take over, it didn’t take me long to make a decision. I have been with Leek Town for a long time and I love the place, so it was an easy decision for me.

“Lee has put a good squad together and now it’s my job to pick the players up and have a strong finish to the season.

“We are not out of it by any means and that’s the message I will be getting across to the players before tomorrow’s game.”

On Casswell’s departure, chairman Jon Eeles added: “This is a difficult announcement to make, but Lee was adamant he wanted to resign and I had to respect his decision and reasons for doing so.

“Lee is very much part of the fabric of the club and will still be involved in social and fundraising activities, which speaks volumes for Lee and the way the club is run.”