National League North
Bradford (Park Avenue) have parted company with manager Martin Drury
Bradford (Park Avenue) have parted company with manager Martin Drury and his assistant Jamie Price.
Former Workington and Barrow boss Darren Edmondson will take over on a caretaker basis until the end of the season. Edmondson has a solid pedigree having guided Barrow to the National League North title last season.
Drury replaced John Deacey last year, but his tenure has been marred by inconsistent results which has left Avenue looking over their shoulders near the relegation zone.
Drury said: “At a meeting with the board, it was mutually agreed that we would part company with the club.
“It was not an easy decision to make but we both feel it was the right thing to do for both the football club and ourselves.
“We would like to thank Gareth Roberts, John Dean and the board for the great faith they showed in us when they asked us to take the team forward a year ago.
“We would also like to thank the supporters, who have been fully behind us this year. There aren’t many of them but they are a credit to the league and the club for their loyal support.
“Most of all, we would like to thank the players. We assembled a group that we believed in and still do.
“Although the league table doesn’t look as we’d like it to right now, the team still have games in hand over others and we feel certain that, with or without us, they will finish in a respectable position.
“We have put our hearts and souls into the club and wish them every success.”
Avenue chairman John Dean said: “Martin and Jamie are very popular in our club community and there will be genuine sadness that we have to part company with them for now.
“Despite their excellent coaching and superb work ethic, they’ve simply been unable to produce consistent results on the pitch so far.
“We hope very much that, in the future, when our situation is a more stable one and when they have gained more experience on the management side, we’ll perhaps have an opportunity to work together again. We are grateful for all their efforts.
“For now, we need a more experienced manager and some wins to bring safety for this season and put us in a stronger position for next season.
“We feel that Darren Edmondson has the track record to deliver that.”
Edmondson’s first match in charge is the visit of Chorley to Horsfall Stadium tomorrow night.