Newell steps down as Owls select new boss
MARCUS Newell has stepped down from his position as Cleethorpes Town’s first-team manager.
Having guided the Owls to two promotions, and a historic trip to Wembley, Newell will now take up a role as director of football at the Linden Homes Club.
Dave Smith, who served as assistant boss for six years under Newell, is the new man in charge.
Part of a club statement read: “Marcus informed us on Tuesday morning that he has decided to step down with immediate effect and put into place the progression plan we have always worked on as a club. “Marcus won’t be leaving the club. He has a huge affinity with Cleethorpes Town and always said that when he felt the time was right he would like to move on to the board and take on the role of director of football. “As much as we didn’t want this to happen as soon as it has, we respect Marcus’s decision and with his help over the last few days have put everything into place to now hand the reigns of the first-team over to Dave Smith, who has been Marcus’ number two for the last six years. “Dave is well liked, well respected and in actual fact took the game on Tuesday at Wisbech, where we gained a very good point. Dave will in due course make his own statement which will include his new backroom staff and of course the retention of some of the existing ones.
“Marcus has done an absolutely incredible job. Finalists of the FA Vase with that memorable day out at Wembley – who can ever forget that? He also won NCEL Division One, the NCEL Premier Division and League Cup double and steered us to our highest ever league position last year in the Evo-Stik South.”