Kidsgrove Athletic and Ryan Austin have parted company with the BetVictor Northern Premier League club saying their manager's departure has nothing to do with the coronavirus crisis.
According to a statement released by the NPL South East Division club on Thursday, officials were looking for a fresh start within Austin into the third year of his reign and his side looking to miss out on the play-offs before the campaign was suspended on Monday.
The statement read: “Following a meeting, it has been agreed by all parties that the club is to part company with manager Ryan Austin.
“The decision is not one taken lightly but after three years at the helm the clubs hierarchy felt it was time to review the team's management.
CLUB STATEMENT: Ryan Austin??#BetVictorNPLhttps://t.co/L58ChOegcE
— Kidsgrove Athletic FC (@OfficialKAFC) March 19, 2020
“Despite what now seems to be a premature end to the current season, recent results had all but ended the clubs play off ambitions.
“As a club we would like to acknowledge Ryan's achievements in what was his first managerial role. In particular, the clubs FA Cup runs along with cementing the club in the league after years of relegation scraps.
“We would like the place on record our thanks to Ryan and wish him every success in the future.”
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Image courtesy of kidsgroveathleticfc.com
