Former Northwich Victoria manager Steve Wilkes appointed Ramsbottom United boss

Former Northwich Victoria manager Steve Wilkes has been appointed manager of Ramsbottom United.

Wilkes replaces David Chadwick who took over from Lee Donafee back in February. 

Although performances improved under Chadwick, results did not, and just seven points from a possible thirty-six condemned the Rams to relegation to the North West Counties league. 

The club have placed on record their appreciation to David and his assistant Jimmy Whiteman, but elected to appoint a manager with experience in the NWCFL. 

Wilkes, 55, was a midfield player and part of the Wigan Athletic youth club before playing for Preston North End, Southport and Morecambe ahead of his lengthy spell in football management now covering over 1,000 games, which began at Darwen back in 1998. After six years at the Anchor Ground, he moved on to Padiham for three years, and a couple of seasons at Runcorn Linnets, followed by a brief spell at Ashton Athletic.

He resigned from Northwich Victoria last month, having overseen six years at the club, where he took the Vics to within a whisker of a Wembley appearance in 2019 when the club lost out in the semi-final on penalties to eventual FA Vase winners Chertsey Town.

The season just ended saw the Northwich club fight to finish fifth in the NWCFL just six points behind play-off winners Avro.

Upon being appointed to the role, Wilkes said: "I’m excited to get started and work with the team here. I’ll certainly be working as hard as I can to get this football club back to where it belongs."

Joining him at the club will be coach Scott Campbell, who is no stranger to the Riverside Stadium having been a part of Mark Fell's coaching staff during his spell with the club. 

The Rams are hoping that a strong challenge can be put in to regain their Step Four status at the first opportunity.