MANAGEMENT changes have taken place at Middlewich Town FC.

Former reserve team managers Chris Thomas and Peter Hughes have taken over first-team duties for the forthcoming season alongside assistant coach Ant Young.

The move comes after Ross Speight and Michael Welch decided to step down from their positions after six years at Seddon Street.

The club has expressed its appreciation to Speight and Welch for their immense contributions to The Witches both on and off the field, while also wishing Thomas, Hughes and Young all the best moving forwards.

“Firstly, I want to thank Ross and Michael, without them myself and Pete wouldn’t be at the club,” said Thomas.

“Their hard work to make that happen and the support we’ve had since we joined has been exceptional.”

The new management team last season guided the reserves side to the Cheshire Reserve League One title, finishing the campaign unbeaten and winning 16 of their 18 games in the process.

“It’s a massive honour to manage a club of Middlewich’s stature and myself, Pete and Ant are delighted,” added Thomas.

“It’s going to be a challenge of course but so was the reserves when we took over there. We can’t wait to get going and the hard work starts now.”

Speight has explained why he and Welch have called time on their roles with The Witches.

“Both of us have found it increasingly difficult to commit the time required to run the first team due to work and family commitments,” he said.

“We have enjoyed success at the club, with promotion to the Premier Division in 2018 as well as reaching three cup finals.

“We are particularly proud of the work we have done off the field, redeveloping the infrastructure of the club with new chairman Andy Hopley and creating a pathway from the under sevens through to the first team.

“We have both put in a lot of time on and off the pitch and we are confident that we have improved the club during our tenure.”

Speight added: “We would both like to thank Andy Hopley and Nathan Morris for their support over the past few years and to all the players who helped us get Middlewich Town back into the highest league possible and for bringing the local community together.”