Stamford hand boss Graham Drury an improved two-year deal

Pic: Stamford AFC

GRAHAM DRURY has been handed an improved two-year deal as manager of Stamford following a tough summer for the club.

The Daniels were given a reprieve from relegation and were told they would keep their place in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier after Cinderford Town’s decision to refuse promotion to Step 3.

However, following Evesham United’s appeal to the Football Association, Cinderford were forced to take promotion, pushing Stamford back down to Step 4.

It means the club will kick off the new season in the Evo-Stik NPL Division One South but chairman Bob Feetham has praised the work done by Drury during a turbulent summer.

Drury returned for his third stint in charge of the Daniels in November after David Staff had resigned and Andrew Wilson was sacked after just ten games.

Performances and results improved but the club just missed out on survival. The boss had signed an extended contract in January but he will definitely be staying at the Zeeco Stadium after penning an improved deal just weeks before the new season.

Chairman Feetham told the club’s website: “Graham shook off that bitter disappointment and is now fully targeted on winning us immediate promotion back to the NPL. It should also not be forgotten that when he arrived pre-Christmas, we were slipping further and further into trouble.

“He rescued a difficult position and, after New Year, achieved top ten levels of performance, shook off that awful home hoodoo and very nearly took us to safety.

“That deserves this recognition and It also gives the club consistency. I congratulate Graham and wish him well for what I know will be a great season.”