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Cotton steps down as Cobras boss

10th January, 2018

Clipstone have announced that Ian Cotton has stepped down as manager of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division side with immediate effect.

The news comes following the Cobras' exit from this season's Nottinghamshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night on penalties at East Midlands Counties League hosts Dunkirk.

The North Nottinghamshire side are also bottom of the table, yet to pick up a point in their 23 league matches.

His departure comes almost exactly a year after he joined his hometown club last January to help it maintain its NCEL status after it almost dropped out of the competition.

In a statement on the club's website, Cotton said: "After thinking long and hard, I have decided to step down as first team manager of Clipstone FC.

"Since taking over last year, I hope that myself, the staff and the players have left the club with memories of some strong, passionate performances and reaching the second preliminary rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase.

"I have assembled a group of players that are mainly from my previous club Blidworth Welfare as well as other local clubs.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players for the support they have showed for the club and myself under difficult circumstances. They have given it their all for myself and the club."

Clipstone's committee have thanked Cotton for all his efforts and hard work, with vice-chairman Andy Sumner adding: "Firstly, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Ian and his management team for all of their support over the past twelve months.

"Ian has been an incredible support to the club and one of the best 'club men' you could ever wish for, and we are sad that he was unable to bring us the success he desperately wanted for the club. Certainly, luck hasn't gone our way this season.

"Without Ian and the team, we possibly wouldn't have a team competing at this level. He came in and stabilised the club at a very difficult time.

"I will be always indebted to his and everyone's support.

"We hope Ian will be able to continue to play a role at the club and he will always be welcome here.

"We owe a lot to Ian, his management and also the players of who we hope will continue at the club."

(Story Source: Clipstone FC)

Click here for Clipstone's team page.

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Season 2017/18 Tables

NCEL Premier Division P Pts +/-
P 1 Pontefract Collieries 42 102 96
P 2 Pickering Town 42 96 75
P 3 AFC Mansfield 42 96 67
4 Handsworth Parr 42 85 43
5 Maltby Main 42 75 31
6 Hemsworth MW 42 72 27
7 Penistone Church 42 72 27
8 Bottesford Town 42 69 9
9 Bridlington Town 42 64 21
R 10 Rainworth MW 42 63 -5
11 Liversedge 42 57 3
12 Barton Town (-1) 42 55 -12
13 Garforth Town 42 52 -29
14 Albion Sports 42 48 -8
15 Thackley 42 47 -9
16 Staveley MW 42 47 -31
17 Athersley Rec 42 46 -23
18 Worksop Town 42 46 -26
19 Hall Road Rangers (-12) 42 43 -1
20 Harrogate Railway 42 31 -62
R 21 Parkgate 42 26 -58
R 22 Clipstone 42 2 -135
NCEL Division One P Pts +/-
P 1 Knaresborough 42 100 61
P 2 Yorkshire Amateur 42 88 77
3 Grimsby Borough 42 85 57
P 4 Eccleshill United 42 85 48
5 Shirebrook Town 42 81 31
6 Glasshoughton Welf 42 77 31
7 Selby Town 42 75 34
8 Hallam 42 73 42
9 Campion 42 73 30
10 Winterton Rangers 42 61 2
11 Swallownest 42 58 -11
12 AFC Emley 42 57 -5
13 Rossington Main 42 53 -14
14 Dronfield Town 42 52 -13
15 Ollerton Town 42 47 -24
16 Armthorpe Welfare 42 46 -25
17 Nostell MW 42 40 -36
18 East Yorks Carnegie 42 34 -34
19 Worsbrough Bridge 42 33 -48
20 FC Bolsover (-6) 42 30 -76
R 21 Brigg Town 42 29 -54
R 22 Retford United 42 24 -73

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