Rangers boss meets his predecessor

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes today admitted the return of former boss Chris Brindley with Chasetown on Saturday will "add something" to the atmosphere.

Brindley will be back at Marston Road for the first time since he resigned in October 2010, citing "constant and personal criticism" from fans.

His 22 months in charge had been spent fighting against relegation from the Blue Square North and, after he left, Rangers went out of the division.

Former Premier League stars Tim Flowers and Matt Elliott failed to beat the drop, before Clowes joined from Newcastle Town last summer.

His remit was to stabilise the club in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League and Brindley was back in football as a league rival by the October.

The two spoke as recently last week, to sort out the transfer of Anthony Maguire from Rangers to Chasetown, and Clowes admires his predecessor's 'no nonsense' way.

He said: "Chris coming back adds something to it and I have spoken to him on two or three occasions this season.

"I have always found him to be very honest and open with me and I am a firm believer in that.

"I don't mince my words either and that's the best way."

Rangers have gone from the top to third tier of non-league football in the last four years and gone through four managers in that time.

Clowes stepped up a league when he arrived and with relish, upon his appointment, declared Rangers "are still a big club in my eyes."

The two-time FA Trophy winners currently sit bang on mid-table and Clowes admits that the fans have had to be patient this season.

The Rangers boss had previously warned getting the glory days back would take time and wouldn't happen "overnight."

He said: "The fans, for me, have been very supportive of us this season and we have tried to keep them in the loop with what is going on.

"They know we are trying to build something here and it's not going to come overnight, I said that when I came here.

"I understand that, sometimes, people are going to have a go at you but I have got broad shoulders."