Staveley Miners Welfare's first team manager Rob Atkin has resigned following 22 months in charge at Inkersall Road.

Citing personal reasons and the team's loss of form Rob decided enough was enough prior to yesterday's 2-1 defeat at Winterton.

Assistant manager Tim Wragg took over team affairs for that game but the club have acted very quickly and an immediate replacement has already been found.

The identity of the new manager will be announced in the next few days and he is expected to meet the players early this week.

Rob Atkin had arrived at Inkersall Road following a successful spell as manager of South Normanton and took Staveley to a respectable final position of 9th in the Northern Counties East League Division One last season.

The club's Press Officer Steve Durcan said, "It's always sad when someone leaves a club but we must move on.

"We looked unstoppable at the start of this season with some impressive victories, particularly at Spalding in the FA Cup, but recent results have been very poor.

"There was renewed hope after beating Matlock in the Senior Cup in November but our league form didn't improve and last week's home defeat against Retford was our sixth consecutive loss.

"Things cannot improve overnight but the new manager will no doubt be impressed with the youngsters at the club who have earned first team places and who boast a 100% record in the Northern Under-19 Alliace League this season".