Non-league football: Coaching role for Holmes at Newcastle

NEWCASTLE Town have added their former defender Andy Holmes to their coaching team.

Holmes has returned to the Lyme Valley club in an advisory capacity, but manager Greg Clowes stressed: "He has not replaced first-team coach John Brown."

Brown has joined Norton after being made surplus to requirements at Castle and Clowes said: "Andy will oversee the coaching of our first, second and under-18 teams now that we are all training together.

"He will help me if I need him, but will have no input on match days or selection. His ideas have been good in training."

Holmes, whose career started at Stoke City, played for and managed Leek Town as well as playing for Newcastle Town before he turned to coaching.

Castle play Crewe Alexandra in their opening pre-season friendly on Sunday (2.30pm).

Clowes has retained most of his squad, but Alistair Brown has left for Witton Albion and Ashley Woolliscroft, who signed from Stalybridge towards the end of last season, has joined Fleetwood.

Newcomers include Chris Boast and Shaun Mould, from Biddulph Vics, while Liam McMann has returned.