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AFC Telford United

Telford appoint ex-Peterborough, Cambridge, Rochdale, Chester player as new manager

AFC Telford United have decided to appoint ex-Peterborough, Cambridge, Rochdale, Chester City player Paul Carden as their new manager.

It was two months ago that the Bucks, who sit 22nd (bottom) of the National League North table, parted company with Gavin Cowan.

At the time they were 20th, but have failed to ignite some kind of positive form under their interim and now find themselves in trouble, unless their new manager can come in and dramatically turn it around, with 21st place Guiseley above them having two games in hand over Telford.

FIRST TELFORD STATEMENT:

Dennis Greene and Alex Meechan have today left their AFC Telford United roles of interim First Team Manager and Assistant Manager.

We would like to thank both Dennis and Alex for their dedication and hard work during this interim period. Dennis and Alex leave us with our best wishes for the future.

At 13.00 this afternoon there will be a second Club Statement to announce the appointment of a permanent First Team Manager and Assistant Manager.

SECOND TELFORD STATEMENT:

AFC Telford United are delighted to announce the appointment effective immediately of Paul Carden as First Team Manager and Carl Baker as Assistant Manager.

Both Paul and Carl have extensive experience as players in the EFL and the top levels of non league football. Paul joins us from Warrington Town FC where in the last five seasons starting 2017/18 has taken Warrington to a top six finish in the Northern Premier League, 3rd in the first three seasons and then 4th and 6th in the last two seasons that were terminated early.

Paul and Carl will take charge with immediate effect for the training sessions this week and for the FA Trophy match this Saturday 27th November away at Felixstowe and Walton United.

The appointment of Paul and Carl has taken longer, as is often the case with targeted recruitment. We would like to thank Warrington Town FC and Nuneaton Borough FC for their assistance and professionalism in this process.

We welcome both Paul and Carl to AFC Telford United and both share our ambitions for the future.

Chairman Andy Pryce said, ‘’I am delighted that we have been able to attract a manager and assistant of Paul and Carl’s calibre. They bring a wealth of experience to our football club and I am excited to start working with them both.  They are both young and hungry to succeed, and they both share the same aspirations and ambitions for the future of AFC Telford United.  Up the Bucks !’’

WARRINGTON STATEMENT:

Warrington Town can confirm that Paul Carden has left the club to take up the managerial position at National League North side AFC Telford United.

It is with a heavy heart that the club parts company with Paul, and we did everything we could to persuade him to stay.

He has led the club to its highest ever league position, third in the Northern Premier League, in his two full seasons in charge.

No one connected with Warrington Town will ever forget the NPL play-off final win away at South Shields, which in any other season would have earned both Paul and the club a deserved promotion.

Unfortunately, the pandemic robbed Paul of the chance of following that up in the past two seasons, and finishes with a win percentage of just over 50% in 221 games in charge.

His focus on doing his best for the club and his players throughout his time meant that it was only right for the club to do the same for him when receiving the approach.

We know how difficult of a decision it was to make but that Telford is a big club with fantastic facilities.

Paul had a great relationship with everyone at the club and will be sorely missed.

He and his family will always be welcome at Cantilever Park. As part of the agreement, the club has requested that no players are approached until the end of the season.

Mark Beesley will take interim charge for Saturday’s FA Trophy game against Morpeth Town.

CARDEN’S CAREER:

Senior career
1996–1998 – Blackpool
1998–2000 – Rochdale – 46 games (0 goals)
2000 → Chester City (loan) – 11 games (0 goals)
2000–2001 – Chester City – 35 games (0 goals)
2001 – Doncaster Rovers – 16 games (1 goal)
2001–2005 – Chester City – 120 games (3 goals)
2005–2006 – Peterborough United – 44 games (0 goals)
2006 – Burscough
2006–2007 – Burton Albion – 27 games (1 goal)
2007–2008 – Accrington Stanley – 4 games (0 goals)
2007 → Cambridge United (loan)
2008 → Cambridge United (loan) – 17 games (0 goals)
2008 – Wrexham
2008–2011 – Cambridge United – 102 games (3 goals)
2011 → Luton Town (loan) – 10 games (0 goals)
2011–2012 – Luton Town
Total – 436 games (8 goals)

Teams managed
2009 – Cambridge United (caretaker)
2009 – Cambridge United (caretaker)
2015 – Southport
2016 – Tranmere Rovers (caretaker)
2016–2021 – Warrington Town

Twitter users reacted as Telford appoint the ex-Peterborough, Cambridge, Rochdale, Chester player as their manager…

@afcbally: Lets hope this is the start of a better period, getting us winning and the crowds will come back. Good luck both 👏👏👏

@Domfinnigan: Will always be grateful to @paulcardy4 absolutely deserves the chance to manage higher, and he’ll do everything to make it successful. Good luck mate 👍 red light spells danger 🕺

@philantro89: He has done a great job in the position he has been in. I wish Paul all the best for the future! Good luck @paulcardy4

@georgebirney5: Good luck boys UTB ⚽️👍🏻

@CentricBlue: Bigger news than that Ole bloke going imo. Best of luck in your future 👏👏👏💛💙

@_maccalfc80: It will be interesting to see what @theyellows next move will be. Should be an interesting week or so.

@jonsmartuk: Great appointment! Up the bucks onward and upward

@BoulterRichard: Welcome and good luck to both!

@karl_woodgate: finally some good stuff being done, hopefully onwards and upwards

@Rich4StGeorges: Welcome and all the best do wishes in your new roles let’s bring the success the @telfordutd deserve #cmonthebucks

@Idman79: Welcome to the Bucks Head lads, hopefully we can now push on.

@TNLN_LIVE: It’s disappointing that Paul is not managing Warrington Town in the National North, as he’s done more than enough to try to ensure that happened. My personal highlight being the FA Trophy replay win over Ebbsfleet.. which isn’t easy to admit 🙈

@waterloophil: Hardly set the fuckin world on fire has he. Mad one for me like. Can’t get Warrington out this league.

@MJMonaghan14: A bit harsh, he’s done well. That league is tough and he’d of had them up if it wasn’t for that super playoff.

@waterloophil: Fair point MJ. But apart from that has he justified a move higher. I’m not knocking him by the way, just seems a mad one for me.

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