Lee Ashforth to remain as manager of relegated Harrogate Railway Athletic

LEE ASHFORTH will remain as Harrogate Railway Athletic boss despite the club suffering relegation from the Evo-Stik NPL North.

Ashforth stepped up from assistant to become manager in the summer after Billy Miller opted to move to Tadcaster Albion.

It followed a successful season for Railway as they finished eighth in the league – their highest ever finish – but Ashforth’s debut campaign has been much tougher.

The Rail won just six of their 42 league games and Saturday’s final day 3-1 defeat at Kendal Town was their 28th loss of the season.

Despite a disappointing campaign, Ashforth has been backed to turn things around and has been confirmed as manager for next season as the club return to the Northern Counties East League for the first time since 2005-06.

The boss said: “When I was offered to stay on at the club, I spoke to a couple of people but it didn’t take me long to confirm that I would stay. I want to repay the loyalty shown to me by the club and players.

“I would like to thank the committee for acting swiftly and therefore giving me the best chance to ensure we have a squad capable of competing in the North East Counties.”