Darren Kelly confirmed as Hyde United manager for next season

DARREN KELLY has been confirmed as Hyde United’s manager for next season despite being unable to save the club from their third straight relegation.

Kelly was only appointed Tigers boss at the beginning of April after Gary Lowe’s departure but the club lost their last six games and ended up finishing six points adrift of safety.

It means Hyde will be playing at Step 4 next season after relegations from the Conference, Conference North and the Evo-Stik NPL Premier in consecutive seasons.

Rather than drafting in a new face, the Tigers’ board have decided to stick with Kelly and the Northern Irishman will be tasked with bringing success back to Ewen Fields.

It was a difficult season for both club and manager. Kelly began the campaign in charge of League One side Oldham Athletic but was dismissed after just nine games.

He then had a 47-day spell in charge of National League side FC Halifax Town before joining free-falling Hyde on April 1.

Kelly beat out 30 other applicants to net the Tigers job for next season and he said: “I am honoured to be given this opportunity and excited by the potential at Hyde United.

“My six games in charge have shown me what a fantastic club this is, from the supporters right through to the board.

“This will be the first managerial role where I have the freedom to select my own backroom staff and playing squad and I intend to assemble an entertaining and competitive side who will deliver success for the club and the people of Hyde.”

A club statement added: “Following three difficult seasons on the pitch, the club has been working hard behind the scenes to ensure stability and future success as it moves from private ownership to become a members owned club.

“As part of this process we have secured significant funding to allow development of new facilities, which will provide a revenue stream for the club ensuring financial stability and the ability for long-term decisions on the direction of the club, which we hope will include a return to the Conference.

“The new board and management team will be in the strongest position in the club’s recent history to allow this to become a reality.”