Hilton resigns from Stocksbridge

NPL Division One East

Chris Hilton has resigned as Stocksbridge Park Steels manager, bringing his seven-year reign to an end.

Hilton, who was one of the longest-serving bosses in the league, stepped down following the 5-2 FA Cup Preliminary Round defeat at Handsworth.

Assistant Lee Thompson takes charge in the interim while Stocksbridge search for Hilton’s successor.

His first game is the home clash with Liversedge on Tuesday night.

Former Worsbrough Bridge boss Hilton has been an outstanding manager for Stocksbridge having delivered stability and on almost every target since his appointment in 2014.

The club has just been relegated from the NPL Premier Division and they were in free-fall.

With the support of chairman Allen Bethel and all the committee, Hilton was given time and patience to stabilise them, which he did by the end of first term.

He reached the play-offs in 2017 despite limited resources when compared to the rest of the league and he also led them on numerous runs in the FA Trophy.

His biggest achievement was developing Harrison Biggins into a Football League player.

Biggins was sold to Fleetwood Town in 2017 – earning Stocksbridge a significant transfer fee.

Although he has no trophies to his name, Hilton will go down as one of the most popular and highly-regarded managers to grace the Bracken Moor dugout.

Stocksbridge announced his departure in a brief statement which said: “The club can confirm that Chris Hilton has resigned as manager of Stocksbridge Park Steels with immediate effect.

“Lee Thompson will take over managerial duties while the search for a new manager take place.

“We would like to wish Chris the best in his future endeavours.”