Ex-Sutton Coldfield Town boss Neil Tooth returns to management with Hednesford Town

FORMER Sutton Coldfield Town boss Neil Tooth has returned to management with Evo-Stik NPL Premier side Hednesford Town.

Gary Birch stepped down as the club’s manager on Friday, citing work commitments, before taking charge of Midland League Premier outfit Walsall Wood.

The Pitmen moved quickly to replace Birch with a busy summer ahead and they turned to Tooth, who has Step 3 experience with Sutton Coldfield.

He stepped up from assistant manager to take charge of the Royals in 2012 and led them to promotion via the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South play-offs in 2014-15.

Sutton enjoyed a successful first season at Step 3, finishing an impressive 12th, but he was sacked in November after their second campaign started slowly.

Tooth will be assisted at Keys Park by Phil Male, first team coach Andy Ling and former Pitmen favourite Kris Taylor who will serve as player-coach.

Tooth told the club’s website: “I’m delighted to be appointed as manager of Hednesford Town Football Club. It is a fantastic club and this is a job that I am really looking forward to getting stuck into it.

“I know that we are perhaps a week or so behind other clubs but in the coming days I shall be speaking to Hednesford players from last season and also to other players about potentially signing as we look to build a squad.

“Having got Sutton promoted into this league, and then finishing 12th in the first season, I know what it is all about and I can’t wait to get going with Hednesford.”