Assistant leaves Rangers for Telford

Stafford Rangers assistant boss Darren Read has left Marston Road to join Andy Sinton's new backroom team at local rivals AFC Telford.

Read resigned from his post at 4:30pm yesterday, after informing manager Chris Brindley who is away on his summer holiday in Turkey.

The Rangers No 2 has been swayed by the offer of a two-year deal at their Blue Square North rivals, who are ushering in a new era after former Wolves winger Sinton was appointed as their new boss earlier this week, and went to meet with the manager and chairman Lee Carter last night.

It looks as if he will going in as first-team coach as Sinton has voiced plans to bring in both a coach and an assistant manager, with Read's personal preference to be on the training field working with the players.

His stay with Rangers comes to an end after just under two years and the 39-year-old insists it has been a gut wrenching decision to make.

But Read admits, from a personal point of view, it is an opportunity that couldn't be missed.

He said: "Stafford Rangers has been a magnificent place to work and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been challenging at times, I hope they survive and I am sure that they will.

"It's not a decision I have taken lightly, I appreciate what the club and the manager have done for me and they will always be a big part of my own personal history and development. It has been a fantastic two years of my life.

"It's a place I will always hold close to my heart and it's been an honour to be associated with them."