AFC Emley have appointed Joe Howson as the club's new first team manager, replacing Darren Hepworth who stepped down due to work commitments at the weekend.

Howson was Hepsworth's assistant over the past two seasons and was previously a league winning manager with the club's development squad.

Chairman Nigel Wakefield told the Toolstation NCEL Division One side's website: "I'm delighted to appoint Joe Howson as our new manager.

"The promotion is richly deserved. After his success with the development squad, he was rightly rewarded with a job with Darren's management team as assistant. That was always with a view to him stepping up when Daz called it a day. It's great to bring a young manager through the system."

On his appointment, Howson said: "It's no secret I wanted to manage AFC Emley one day.

"While that day has come quicker than I expected a few weeks ago, you can be assured I'll be grabbing the opportunity with both hands. Thank you to the chairman and the committee for backing me, I'm proud of the appointment and can't wait to get started."

The club also announce the departure of first team coach Pat Piearcey who was always intending to stand down at the end of the season.

Mr Wakefield said: "Pat has worked tirelessly alongside Daz over the past five years and we're going to miss him just as much.

"We wish him all the very best for the future and look forward to welcoming him back to the stands at Emley soon."