Gannon signs a new deal after impressive form
COUNTY boss Jim Gannon has been rewarded for The Hatters’ superb season with what the club describe as ‘an improved and extended’ contract.
The new deal sees Gannon remaining at Edgeley Park until the summer of 2021 – a marked difference from the usual 18-month rolling deals the Irishman has penned since his return to the club in 2016.
The Hatters stand just 90 minutes away from a potential trip to Wembley in the FA Trophy final, with the second leg of a semi-final clash with AFC Fylde coming up this Saturday.
On top of the club’s impressive cup run, which has included wins over two National League sides away from Edgeley Park already, The Hatters sit in second place in the National League North after a stellar run of just one defeat since December.
County’s impressive campaign has seen Gannon linked with a number of Football League vacancies, such as those at Rochdale and Oldham Athletic, but Gannon explained why he had no hesitancy in signing a new deal at Edgeley Park. “We have been working tirelessly to professionalise every aspect of the football club and I’m fully committed to continuing that work.” “We’re in the middle of our most successful season since I returned to Edgeley Park, and I have great faith in the direction of travel which the club Jim Gannon is taking, so I was very happy to commit to this new deal,” said the former Northwich chief.
Since his return to begin a third spell as manager in January 2016, Gannon has won the Cheshire Senior Cup, led County to the second round of the FA Cup, and guided The Hatters to a play-off finish in the National League North.
The 50 year-old also boasts a win percentage of 52pc since his reappointment, and is the club’s longest serving manager of all time with well over 400 games under his belt - and chairman Richard Park was quick to heap praise on the former County defender.
“We’re delighted to have got Jim’s contract extension agreed, because we feel it’s important for everyone to have that additional security going forward. We’ve been working hard to create a stable and sustainable future for our club and Jim is a huge part of that commitment.”
“Jim shares our ambition to return the club to the Football League, and it makes sense to offer a contract to someone who has the club at heart and is responsible for a marked improvement in results.”