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Rangers wait on reprieve decision

Stafford Rangers' wait to see if they are line for a shock reprieve from relegation from the Blue Square North is likely to go on into next week.

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Stafford Rangers' wait to see if they are line for a shock reprieve from relegation from the Blue Square North is likely to go on into next week.

Rangers' had hoped the matter would be resolved before the annual general meeting of the Evo-Stik and Zamaretto Leagues tomorrow.

But the FA still have another 11 days to answer the appeal of Bishops Stortford, who are objecting to being moved from the Blue Square South to the Blue Square North.

Rushden & Diamonds, whose explusion from the Blue Square pyramid created the problem, also have another eight days to appeal but have been invited to join the Zamaretto League.

The FA possess the power to order the leagues to follow their eventual decision and, until they make the call, Rangers are preparing for life in the Evo-Stik Premier League.

The club appointed Greg Clowes as boss at the start of the month in the mindset of finding a manager with experience of the lower regions of non-league football, having also approached Chasetown's Charlie Blakemore and Stourbridge's Gary Hackett.

An unexpected reprieve could leave them with a rookie boss at Blue Square North level but - after stints in charge for Steve Bull, Tim Flowers and Matt Elliott - chairman Mike Hughes insists the days of 'big name' bosses at Marston Road are over.

He said: "We consciously wanted someone who had been successful at this level, or thereabouts, and his record is pretty good.

"We have had managers who have come out of higher levels of football and, perhaps, it was an eye-opener for them. This time, we have gone for someone who has come up the other way.

"We have made the appointment, we believe we have found the right man but the proof is in the pudding, we will see."

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