ASHVILLE FC have confirmed the appointment of Steven Scott as their new first team manager following the departure of Gary Jones.

Scott initially joined Ashville in March as Jones’ assistant with his first appearance on the touchline being the pivotal 1-0 win away at Brocton.

The former Bootle manager brings with him a wealth of experience as both a player and manager, having spent time at Everton, Manchester City and Oldham Athletic before dropping into non-league with Bootle and Warrington Town.

The 42-year-old first dipped his toes into management with Waterloo GSOB between 2009-2010 before taking a break from football.

Scott returned to the game with FC Bootle in 2015 and stayed with the club until 2023 taking the club from park football all the way to the West Cheshire League Division One in the space of three years and embarking on a 52 game unbeaten run in the league.

 On his appointment, Scott, said: “The late, great Steve Murphy contacted me about the job some time ago when he was in charge after Pete Nielsen’s departure, however the timing wasn’t right and the club had another great option in Gary, who was the right fit.

“I’ve always had huge respect for the club, for how they conducted themselves more than anything.

"The pride in their history and how much everyone at Ashville loves the club through and through is something which resonates with me completely”.

He continued: “In truth I was almost content not being back in the game when Renno (Peter Reynolds, Ashville Chairman) contacted me via Ian White to talk about coming in for the last ten games as some support for Gary.

"Together we managed to put together enough wins to stop the unthinkable from happening and enable the club to move forward, which is obviously really important.

"The character within the squad here is top drawer in my opinion and there’s plenty of ability to go with it. I’ll of course look to build on that but the focus for me will always be about the group, not an individual. A group that cares about one another and the Ashville badge they represent”.

Scott was quick to fill the vacant assistant manager role, bringing in his good friend and former professional, Glynn Hurst.

Hurst played over 300 games in the EFL with Barnsley, Swansea City, Mansfield Town, Stockport County, Chesterfield, Notts County, Shrewsbury Town and Bury. Glynn also spent time in non-league with Gainsborough Trinity, Hyde and FC United Of Manchester.

Scott said: “Initially I’ll be bringing Glynn Hurst in with me as Assistant Manager. Glynn is an ex pro with bags of experience, whose a top coach and his sides have always been known to have a great understanding of the game.

“In time I’m hoping there will be another addition or two to the backroom team and it’s important to me to keep a close connection with our under 21s side who’ve had two excellent seasons and produced a number of players for the first team”.

Scott also took time to greet to the Ashville faithful.

He added: “First & foremost I’m looking forward to meeting you all, I know you’ll back the team regardless as you always have.

"All I can say is we’ll give it everything to bring success to the club and I’m certain we will whilst conducting ourselves in a way that best represents you and this great club. Up The Villa!”