THE BOSS who steered Whitehaven AFC through a turbulent period in the club’s history has taken a step back to let someone else lead the charge.

Whitehaven AFC announced this week that Billy Redden, who was appointed as First Team manager in 2019, has stepped down from his post.

The club are thankful for his service, chairman Luke Johnston said: “I think the lads have a huge amount of respect for him.

“He’s sort of shone through and he’s delivered all the challenges he’s tried to make through the pandemic.

Johnston said: “He brought in captain Mal Holliday, he’s played in higher leagues and he’s a PE teacher, he brought him in as a father figure for the lads so to speak.”

The chairman and departing manager have worked well together, taking on their roles at a difficult period for sports clubs, the Covid-19 situation.

Johnston said: “I’ve been chairman for nearly a year now, it’s been a pleasure working with him, he’s been really supportive.”

Redden has a wealth of experience both as a player and in coaching roles, the knowledge has been a support to Johnston as he took over as chairman.

Redden’s successor as First Team manager of Whitehaven AFC is set to be revealed in the coming weeks.