DOUBLE DEAL: Management duo Danny Grainger & Steven Rudd here to stay

We are delighted to announce that first-team manager Danny Grainger and assistant Steven Rudd have signed new two-and-a-half-year deals with the club.

The touchline duo will be contracted at Borough Park until the summer of 2023, well beyond our centenary celebrations this year.

The news follows the pairs’ success with Reds since taking charge in June 2019, following Grainger’s retirement from professional football at Carlisle United.

The gaffer and his right-hand man both chatted to club media today with social distancing adhered to, and Grainger outlined why staying in West Cumbria was a simple decision.

“We came here with a plan of where we want to go and we haven’t finished that yet,” he explained.

“Anybody who knows me knows that I’m ambitious and that I want to keep being successful.

“So, obviously, for me and Ruddy to be able to get our future’s tied down and get it sorted, we’re excited for what’s going to lay in front of us.”

Rudd then reflected on a successful 20 months, saying: “On the pitch, we’ve come a long way since that first game against Pickering [on the opening day of the 2019/20 season].

“We’ve also come a long way off the field; the club’s going places and it’ll be good if we can marry both on and off the pitch together to hopefully have as successful of a next two years as the previous couple.”

Finally, Chairman Dave Bowden commented: “We’re absolutely delighted.

“It’s obviously something important, in terms of looking forward, that we got Danny and Steven sorted out.

“We’re very pleased about it.”

Due to the ongoing suspension of the Northern Premier League season, it’s unknown when Reds will be back in action but Bowden was relieved to have something ticked off the list as we prepare for our eventual return.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty at the moment so to get that stability regarding coaching positions is good.

“At least we can get on with signing a squad up and working so that by the time we kick-off, we’re ready to go.”

Keep up with all of the news regarding next season on our social media platforms.

You can watch Danny’s interview on our YouTube channel below and read Ruddy’s full thoughts here.