Former Nottingham Forest and Derby County striker Jamie Ward has taken interim charge of Southern League Central side Ilkeston Town.
Ward, 36, joined the non-league side in May 2022 from Buxton FC and has scored one goal for Ilkeston in their opening six games of the season. The Robins currently sit 19th in the table, a place outside the relegation zone after four draws.
Despite overcoming Matlock Town in the FA Cup on Saturday, the club confirmed on Tuesday morning that manager Martin Carruthers' contract has been cancelled by mutual consent after a difficult start to their return to the seventh-tier of English football.
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Ward will take interim charge of the team, assisted by former Notts County defender Ben Turner, for the upcoming fixtures - starting on Saturday against St. Ives Town. In a statement on their official website, the club said: "The club can confirm that manager Martin Carruthers' contract has been cancelled by mutual consent.
"Carruthers took over as manager in November 2019 and guided us to promotion from NPL Division One Midlands as champions earlier this year.
"Assistant manager Wayne Hallcro will also be leaving the club."
Chairman and owner Dave Hilton said: "I wish to thank Martin for his hard and success at the club, a particular highlight being the league title win last season.
"I have huge amounts of respect for him as a person and a coach and I wish him the best of luck for the future. The same applies to Wayne to whom I also express my thanks."
How do you think Ward will get on as a manager? Let us know in the comments section.
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