Read gets stuck in at Rangers

New Stafford first-team coach Darren Read is relishing getting stuck into his new post as a new-look Stafford prepare for life in the Blue Square North.

In came Read, along with new assistant manager Chris Brindley, to Marston Road in the summer, as manager Steve Bull cleared the decks on and off the field in the wake of relegation last term.

For the former Wolves academy coach, it marks an emotional return to the club, in a fairly high-profile role. He has previously been at the club as coach of the U21 side for two seasons, while brother David played for the club in the mid-1990's.

He said: "It is an honour to be back at Stafford Rangers. When Steve called me, there was no way I could turn this down. I must have told him the right things for him to bring me in.

"Hopefully we can push on now with a settled structure in place, which is vital to any football club. To work with Steve and Chris is an honour also, so its great to be back."

Read feels that all three bring different management skills to the table - which can only be of benefit to the club.

He said: "With Steve, it is the contacts he has and his sheer presence for a start. He has already brought a lot more professionalism into the club, as we all have.

"With Chris, it is his knowledge of the non-league scene. What he does not know about football at this level is not worth knowing. I think Steve would be the first to tell you he needs a man like Chris as assistant manager.

"With myself, I like to think that with my experience as a coach, I can handle the players as well as anybody. I also have a lot of academy contacts, which I hope to use to bring some fresh talent to the club.

"Put those skills together and I feel we have a platform from where we can really succeed."