Francis wants to stay at Rangers

Stafford Rangers Player of the Year Andre Francis is hoping to stay at Marston Road despite their relegation from the Blue Square North.

Rangers' longest-serving player was honoured on two counts last night, landing the manager's and supporters awards.

Goalkeeper Lee Evans and defender Jermaine Johnson also picked up gongs, the players and directors Player of the Year awards respectively.

But Johnson was not hand for the ceremony, with captain Craig McAughtrie accepting the award on his behalf at Marston Road.

However, Francis and the rest of the squad who took the drop to the Evo-Stik Premier League at the weekend attended, as did manager Matt Elliott and his assistant John Reeves.

They continue to face up to relegation this week and questions remain over who will be at the club next season but Francis has become the first to say he wants to stay.

He declared: "Hopefully I will be staying next season, it's like a home from home for me.

"But, if I am honest with you, I would like to see the same kind of people around me that I have this season.

"I know it hasn't turned out the best for the club but all we need to do is work on it, as it's the little things have killed us this season.

"The same team and the gaffer staying would make a big difference, as I want to be here.

"It's different situations for different people, I play football for the fun of it and this is where I do that."

Despite relegation, Francis has enjoyed perhaps his most fruitful season in a Rangers shirt since returning to the club for a second spell in 2008.

He said: "It's nice to play regularly but, in terms of the club, I would rather they had stopped in the league.

"I feel really bad for the fans that it has come to this situation."

A Rangers reserve side have a chance of silverware tonight, when they head to the reformed Ilkeston for the Central Conference Cup final.

Reserve boss Andy Bates will take the team which will include first-team squad members Craig Reid and goalkeeper Tom Turner, along with Jon Patrick and Craig Hulme.

The game will be played at the New Manor Ground because Rangers' Marston Road pitch has been reseeded.