Rangers boss has three years at helm

Stafford Rangers manager Greg Clowes today revealed he's been given three years at the helm to revive the club's fortunes.

Clowes put a three-year plan into place with the club's board of directors when he arrived at Marston Road as boss last June.

As he approaches a year in charge, Rangers are hovering around mid-table in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

But the Rangers chief warned fans when he was appointed not to expect an instant return to the Blue Square North, after relegation last year.

And Clowes, who is working without a contract, expects to be given time to get the two-time FA Trophy winners back on track.

He said: "We were promised three years at Stafford Rangers by the board members and I expect them to honour that.

"Myself and my assistant Dorian Garner wouldn't have left Newcastle Town if we hadn't got those assurances.

"Given time, I feel confident enough that we can move this club on and I will be doing my best to put them to where they need to be.

"I think we have got to creep and crawl along, on and off the pitch. It isn't an overnight thing and I think the fans realise that now.

"The proof is in the pudding - if times passes by and things don't improve on the pitch, all of a sudden people are going to point fingers."

With five games left of the campaign, the best Clowes can hope for is a top 10 finish and a platform to build on for next season.

That would be acceptable progress for the manager, who will be setting down his target for 2012-13 as soon as the final league table is decided.

He said: "The way I look at is where we finish points wise and what the difference is to the last play-off place.

"We have got to close that gap next season. If we don't, that's not progress. If we do, then in year three we will have to bridge the gap from year two.

"You are not going to finish 18th the one season and second the next in this league, that just isn't going to happen.

"On and off the pitch, I do feel things are settling down a little bit. When you have had relegation, the whole club gets tipped upside down."