TURTON have announced Craig Jones is to lead the club following the departure of Neil Hart as manager.

Jones has previously managed Atherton Town and Atherton LR and, although he has not managed in the West Lancashire League before, he is experienced and a UEFA-qualified coach.

He succeeds Neil Hart as manager and will lead the club as they look to improve on last season’s 10th-place finish in the league’s Premier Division.

“Craig was the standout applicant, and we did have some top-quality applications,” said club chairman Peter Gray. “He’s a good lad and showed real desire to manage the club.

“I have put my research into Craig to ensure he was the right fit for us and I didn’t speak to anyone with a negative word to say. I look forward to working with Craig and his management team and helping him to progress the club next season. I am delighted Craig is joining us.

“I have had a very difficult choice to make, given the calibre of people that contacted me about the opportunity to manage us. As well as having excellent coaching credentials, Craig is a great lad and this just feels like the right appointment.

“He is not just a good coach, he is someone we feel will be a good fit for our structure.”

Gray admits following in Hart’s footsteps at Thomason Fold is no easy task but he is confident Jones can be a success at the club.

“I take my responsibilities as custodian of Lancashire’s oldest club very seriously,” he added.

“And you have to make these decisions correctly. I enjoyed my meetings with Craig and I feel he’ll be a good fit for Turton. Hopefully he feels the same and I look forward to working with him.

“One of the biggest qualities that Neil brought was a great deal of professionalism and great attention to detail, and I see that in Craig too.

“Neil will, of course, be missed at Turton and we hope he won’t be a stranger.

“We have had to look to replace the good things he brought week in, week out to the club.”

Jones’ management team will be announced soon, along with a finalised pre-season programme which is expected to include some prestigious matches.