Ex-Toon man takes reins at Benfield
EBAC Northern League Division One club Newcastle Benfield have confirmed the appointment of former Newcastle United Reserves midfielder Stuart Elliott as their new manager.
The 41-year-old steps into the role vacated by Tom Wade after he left the club by mutual consent on Thursday night, less than 24 hours after a Northumberland Senior Cup quarter-final defeat by North Shields.
Elliott’s former United teammate Paul Brayson was in temporary charge of Benfield on Saturday, when they fell to a 4-2 league defeat against The Robins.
The duo spent time together in the Magpies’ youth and reserves set-up during the 1990s and were reunited at a number of clubs including Bedlington Terriers, York City and Northwich Victoria.
Veteran striker Brayson will remain in temporary charge for Benfield’s Mitre Brooks Mileson Memorial League Cup quarter-final at Chester-le-Street Town tonight.
Elliott will have a watching brief at Moor Park, before stepping into the dugout for the first time when his new side travel to face Ashington on Saturday.
A club statement released on Sunday night confirmed that Brayson will revert to a role as player-assistant manager.
It read: “Newcastle Benfield would like to announce that Stuart Elliott has agreed to become the new manager.
“Stuart has a vast amount of experience and teams up with Paul Brayson, who will be his assistant.
“Elliott will officially take charge next Saturday and will be watching the Lions play Chester-le-Street in the Cup on Tuesday.
“Paul Brayson will remain in charge until Saturday.”
Elliott takes over a Benfield side that are without a win in 2019 and currently sit in eleventh place in the Northern League Division One table.