Wisbech Town appoint Appleby

Ridgeons Premier Division club Wisbech have appointed Steve Appleby to replace former manager Gary Setchell.The ex-Fenmen player and assistant manager will take charge of Saturday's league trip to Leiston with Chris Dear joining his coaching staff and Mark Jimson taking on a player/coach role.

Ridgeons Premier Division club Wisbech have appointed Steve Appleby to replace former manager Gary Setchell.

The ex-Fenmen player and assistant manager will take charge of Saturday's league trip to Leiston with Chris Dear joining his coaching staff and Mark Jimson taking on a player/coach role.

Appleby has managed Bourne Town and Lincolnshire League side Skegness Town but recently declared his interest in succeeding Setchell who left to become joint first team boss at reformed Lynn FC.

“I developed a great affection for the club during my time at Fenland Park as a player and as assistant player/manager under Roy McManus,” said Appleby. “We have a great bunch of players here and myself, Chris and Mark are looking forward to working with the lads during the rest of this season and into next season and the new ground.”

Dear, who made his last appearance for the Fenmen in 2007, believes the current squad is good enough to compete at the top end of the Ridgeons Premier.

“I can't wait to get started,” he said. “We're lucky enough to have inherited an excellent squad of players, and with Mark Jimson getting back to fitness and Stu Ablett still to return, we have plenty of strength in depth and options to try out.”

Former boss and caretaker manager Dick Creasey could stay at the club in a backroom role.