Bullock’s no longer the Ryt choice

NORTHERN League Division Two club Ryton and Crawcrook Albion have confirmed they have parted company with manager Mark Bullock.

The former Newcastle Blue Star boss joined the club’s coaching staff in the summer of 2017 and stepped up to the lead role in the dugout when former manager Tony Fawcett accepted an offer to join Division One club Whitley Bay.

Bullock claimed an impressive first win as Albion boss in his third game in charge with a 3-1 triumph at Tow Law Town.

However, a run of just two victories in the following 11 games left the club in the lower reaches of the Division Two table.

With the Covid-19 epidemic continuing to put a hold on Northern League football, Bullock’s final game in charge came on the last day of October as braces from Scott Gunn and Scott Jasper helped his side to a 5-1 home success against Washington.

However, he will now depart with the club sat in 16th place in the table.

Bullock, who first joined the Club as part of the coaching team in the summer of 2017, won three of his 15 games in charge after taking over from Anthony Fawcett in April.

A club statement read: “Ryton and Crawcrook Albion have parted company with Manager Mark Bullock.

“RACA currently lie 16th in the Ebac Northern Football League Division Two table after picking up 12 points from 14 games this season.

The Committee would like to place on record their sincere thanks to Mark for all his hard work and dedication and wish him every success in his future career.

“Assistant Manager Conor Jennings will take temporary charge of first-team duties and the search for a permanent successor is already underway.”

■ ■SPENNYMOOR Town interim manager Tommy Miller has challenged his players to build on their impressive win at fellow National League North play-off contenders Gateshead.

That result saw the Moors move into a top-seven place ahead of Saturday’s home game against Darlington, with whom they drew 0-0 on Boxing Day.