The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
It’s Baines for Blackstones and Ellis goes as well
One of Peterborough’s most decorated footballers has been appointed manager of United Counties League Division One side Blackstones.
Mark Baines, a key member of Netherton’s quad squad of 2017-18, landed the job after beating a string of highly-rated candidates.
Baines has experience of managing Stilton United in the Peterborough Premier Division and won the United Counties Premier Division with Deeping Rangers as a player in 2007.
Baines will take Netherton’s highly-rated forward Robbie Ellis with him.
A Blackstones club statement said: “We received a large number of applications and CVs from interested parties.
“And due to current restrictions the Stones chairman and committee reviewed the applications and phone interviews were conducted to reduce the list to a shortlist of three.
“Final interviews were then conducted and, after extensive discussions between the committee, Blackstones FC are pleased to announce that the role of manager with immediate effect has been offered to and accepted by Mark Baines.
“Blackstones FC would like to thank everyone who expressed an interest and submitted their CVs/applications.”
Baines replaces the management team of Lee Clarke and Daniel French who moved up to the Premier Division with Deeping last month.
Blackstones finished seventh in a truncated Division One last season.
Netherton were chasing another Peterborough League quad in 2019-20 when the season was ended early because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Whether or not they can challenge strongly for honours again in 2020-21 will dependonmanagerJonHarrison attracting strong replacements for two key players.
They were keen to win promotion to the UCL last season. They were top when the season was halted.
Harrison said: “I wish my good friend Mark all the best. He gave his all for Netherton every time he pulled the shirt on and I’ve also enjoyed watching Robbie develop from a 17 year-old with a good touch into the best player in the Premier Division.
“I will replace them, but they will both be tough acts to follow.”