Tom Thorley hails departing assistant

Stafford Rangers star midfielder Tom Thorley insists no-one has a axe to grind with assistant boss Darren Read despite his departure from the club.

Read resigned last Thursday after a near two-year stay to become Andy Sinton's No 2 at local rivals AFC Telford, with a two-year deal on the table at the Bucks Head.

It came as a shock to Rangers and Player of the Year Thorley, who had been among a group of young players nurtured into first-team performers under his tutelage.

As a former Wolves and Derby County academy coach, Read's preference to work with youth on the training field made him a popular figure with the squad, as the club turned to unearthing gems in the wake of severe financial cuts at Marston Road.

Management headed by manager Chris Brindley had been at the forefront of that, with the Rangers boss now tasked with finding a replacement to fill his assistant's boots.

And Thorley today admitted he will be sorry to see someone who was key in his development go.

He said: "It was a bit of a shock, to be honest, I didn't see it coming at all. But it's a good opportunity for him, he couldn't turn it down and no one begrudges him this move. We all wish him all the best, without a doubt.

"Darren has been great with me since I came to the club, he's very popular with the younger players because he worked so closely with us. He's a very good coach and a really top bloke.

"With pre-season not starting for another month, it's not so much of a problem, there's no need to worry because the manager will sort it out."