Ashton United appoint Jody Banim and Will Haining as permanent bosses

Pic: Ashton United FC

JODY BANIM and Will Haining have been confirmed as Ashton United’s permanent joint-managers after a successful spell in caretaker charge.

The pair were handed the reins temporarily following Paul Phillips and Steve Halford’s moves to National League North outfit Stalybridge Celtic.

Phillips and Halford had been in charge for three seasons with Ashton finishing in the play-offs in all three campaigns.

The United board conducted interviews for the vacant manager’s role but felt Banim and Haining had earned their chance as they oversaw a 3-1 win at Stafford and 2-2 draw at Hednesford.

Those results have left Ashton third in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier and the Hurst Cross outfit are still yet to lose in the league so far this campaign.

United chairman Terry Hollis told the club’s website: “The playing squad and fans have responded extremely positively to the efforts of Will and Jody who, in turn, have conducted themselves in a very professional and pragmatic way, bringing stability to the club very quickly.

“This presented the board with a simple, ‘if it ‘ain’t broke, why try to fix it?’ decision. We will now look to support our management team in every way that we can, as we look to build upon the foundations laid over the past three years.”