Godbold unveiled as successor to Batch

Ryman North AFC Sudbury have unveiled former Kirkley and Pakefield manager and Lowestoft skipper Jamie Godbold as the successor to David Batch.

Goldbold and Andy Reynolds, his assistant at the Eastern Counties outfit, were named on Sunday as the replacements for the departed Batch and his number two Steve Eastaugh.

In a statement announcing their arrival at the The Wardale Williams Stadium, club officials said their new management team were "highly recommended" to them by caretaker manager and former Leiston boss Danny Laws.

Laws has been appointed as director of football and youth development after holding the fort in the wake of the departure of Batch and his backroom team at the end of December to take over at Evo-Stik League Southern St Neots.

Laws' responsibilities will include working with the newly-appointed first-team management team and directing and developing the club's U21 and U18 sides.

In addition, he will be taking an active role in assisting with the operation of the club's youth development and will lead AFC Sudbury's new academy when it opens later this year.

Godbold, pictured winning the Ryman North title with Lowestoft Town, was on Stoke City’s books for six years before moving on to become a well-respected member of the Trawler Boys set-up at Crown Meadow.

A UEFA A coach, he has worked closely with Laws in the past and is also the Football Association's regional coaching development manager for Sudbury's region. Reynolds is the Suffolk FA's U18's youth team manager.

After Laws guided the club to a 1-0 win on Saturday at Cheshunt to climb into fifth spot in Ryman North, Goldbold and Reynolds take charge for the first time on Tuesday night when AFC Sudbury travel to Witham Town in the third round of the Robert Dyas League Cup.

AFC Sudbury chairman Phil Turner believes the club is in a great position to head into the second half of the season with the experienced coaches they now have on board.

He said: "I see Jamie’s appointment as a great boost for the club and puts together the last piece of an all-round management team jigsaw that will take the club forward for a sustainable future with much more emphasis on developing our own players."

"Jamie will be responsible for all first-team matters but will be mentored and will work closely with Danny Laws. In addition, Danny will be taking an active role in assisting with the operation of our youth development and will lead our new football academy being launched this year."

Image courtesy of www.greenun24.co.uk

Follow us: @rymanleaguenews on Twitter | Ryman League group on Facebook