Nightingale heads home for City job

Soham's joint manager stood down on Wednesday night to return to Evo-Stik League Southern City as the successor to Dan Gleeson following his sacking by the Lilywhites 24 hours earlier.

City fan Nightingale, pictured, took over as Soham boss alongside fellow City favourite Dave Theobald in 2013 following the departure of Steve Fallon. Theobalds is expected to leave Julius Martin Lane on Saturday after taking charge for the last time at Romford in Ryman North.

Before taking charge of a club he made more than 350 appearances for in two spells and skippered until 2013, Nightingale thanked everyone at Rangers for their backing in his first managerial post.

He said: "I’d like to pay tribute to everyone at Soham and thank them for giving me the opportunity at my first job in management. The support I have had from the chairman, board, playing and coaching staff, as well as the fans, has been superb.”

Soham Town Rangers chairman Stuart Hamilton thanked Nightingale for his efforts in a statement on the club's website and wished him well in his bid to turn around his relegation-threatened former club's fortunes.

Hamilton said: “Robbie has done a tremendous job for the club and has worked tirelessly to put together the current squad. He has not only been manager but worked in bringing new sponsors and worked alongside the ground staff on the summer pitch improvements.

“Although we’re very disappointed that Robbie has decided to leave midway through the season, we wish him all the very best in new role and cannot thank him enough for all his hard work during the past fourteen months.”

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