Non-league duo confirm new management teams with Walsall hero appointed

Black Country non-league clubs Dudley Town and Darlaston Town have confirmed their new managerial appointments.

The duo will be rivals in the Midland League Premier next season and have been searching for new men to fill the hotseat.

Dudley have appointed former Wolves academy player and Port Vale youth coach Nathan Lamey as new boss.

Yorkshire-born Lamey, 45, has coached at different age groups at relegated League One outfit Vale. He most recently took up an under-13s to under-15s technical lead coach and has coached at under-18 level.

The ex-forward played in the Football League with Cambridge United in 2000 after leaving Wolves.

He replaces long-serving former Robins boss Matty Lovatt, who stepped down to take up the vacant managerial role at Lichfield City.

A familiar face has checked in to support Lamey in his new role as Walsall hero Matty Fryatt arrives as joint-assistant.

Former Albion youngster Justin Richards, a frontman who had a lengthy Football League and non-league career, is joint-assistant with Fryatt.

Fryatt, 40, scored 30 goals in 78 games for Walsall between 2003 and 2006 before stints with Leicester, Hull and Nottingham Forest.

The striker hung up his boots in early 2018 following a troubling Achilles injury.

Dudley finished sixth in the step five Midland Premier, one place and one position outside the play-offs having been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player in January.

Elsewhere, division new boys Darlaston have confirmed their new set-up following relegation.

Former Walsall Wood boss Adam Pearce has been appointed as new boss at the Paycare Stadium.

Darlo finished rock-bottom of the step four Northern Premier One West after a season of upheaval including the departure of influential manager Dean Gill in early February.

Gill’s successor Exodus Geohaghon was unable to inspire Darlaston to survival in an 11-match winless run at the helm following a series of player exits and Town’s two-season stay at the level ended in relegation. Geohaghon was dismissed at the end of the season.

Pearce, who also previously managed Wolverhampton Casuals, departed Walsall Wood earlier in the week.

He led Wood back into the bottom of the Midland League this season, at Division Three, after the club resigned from the league the previous year due to financial difficulties. Wood finished fifth.

“I'm very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the club,” Pearce said. “The club has a strong foundation and a passionate support base who I'm looking forward to meeting.

“I'm keen to start working hard and do what I can to help the club move forward both on and off the pitch, building on the great work that has gone before me.

“There's plenty of work ahead but I'm excited for the challenge.”

Chairman Anthony Fellows added: “We are pleased to welcome Adam to Darlaston Town.

“The quality and number of candidates was high but we feel Adam is the right person to take the team forward. Adam will begin work immediately as preparations commence for the upcoming season.”