Derek's in the Rammy hot-seat

RAMSBOTTOM United have unveiled Derek Egan (pictured) as the club's new manager, succeeding Vince Overson who resigned recently.

This will be 40-year-old Egan's first management role, although the former Oldham Athletic youth and reserve team player boasts a coaching CV that would be the envy of many.

As well as the Latics, Egan played in Belgium and Luxembourg before going out to New Zealand where he played for Napier City Rovers in NZ National League.

Closer to home he played for a host of local non-league clubs, including Radcliffe Borough, Stalybridge Celtic, Ashton United, Curzon Ashton and Chadderton.

But it is as a qualified coach that he impresses.

Egan, who lives in Bolton with his wife and two children, is Lancashire FA's (LFA) development manager, and holds an FA Level Four coaching licence and is a qualified UEFA 'A' coach.

He is an FA Coach Educator, which means he teaches and examines other coaches up to FA and UEFA Level Three.

In addition he is the FA's North West Regional Lead Coaching Mentor; he holds a Diploma in Sports Psychology; an FA Treatment and Management of Injuries Level Two badge; and is an FA Child Protection tutor.

He is currently in charge of the LFA's under 18s and 19s teams that won six out of nine trophies entered for last season.

He is also on the coaching staff of the English Schools under 18s team, along with the LFA under 15s and 16s, and has been involved in coaching Everton's Academy sides.

"I felt I needed a new challenge," he said: "I've put the theory into practice and one level and wanted to test the water at a higher level.

"I feel I can cut my teeth as a manager with Ramsbottom while at the same time help the club to improve.

"I'm very much a realist, so after the club finished sixth from bottom last season I want to aim to finish at least in the top half, anything higher will be a bonus, but we'll be aiming for that bonus.

"I've got Andy Grimshaw as my assistant and he will be an integral part of our approach in the forthcoming season.

"I'll be arranging a meeting with the players, looking at budgets and working out where we need to strengthen and take it from there.

His relative lack of experience as a club manager has not put off the powers that be at the Riverside.

"He is a bit of an unknown but he has a terrific pedigree and his coaching qualifications are second to none," said United secretary, Malcolm Holt.

"He's had plenty of offers to manage and has some great ideas, and when we interviewed him we were very impressed. He is ambitious and is keen to make his mark.

"We are hoping he will be able to bring in some of the LFA's best players in addition to keeping our best players."

Egan was one of a number of former professional players that applied for the Rammy hot seat and beat former Bury pair Andy Hill and Darren Lyons, in addition to Ally Pickering (Coventry City) and Les Attwood (Blackpool) to the job.

The club is also hopeful that there will be fewer games postponed next season due to the state of the pitch, after contractors were again down at the Riverside.

The goal mouth and corner nearest to the dressing rooms has undergone extensive work and the whole pitch was ripped up and 'sand-slitted,' a process that used 200 tons of sand, before the playing surface was re-soiled and seeded.

The club has also announced the first of what it hopes will be a number of pre-season friendlies.

On Tuesday July 27 Clitheroe will visit the Riverside, followed by Bury Under 19s on Tuesday August 3. Both games kick-off at 7.45pm

The North West Counties Football League (NWCFL) holds its AGM on Saturday June 19, and it is hoped the fixtures for next season will announced shortly afterwards.