YLP: "MANAGEMENT TEAM ALL BUT IN PLACE"

Lee Casswell (pictured) is joining Neil Baker, Kenny Scragg and Kenny Birch-Machin.

Neil Baker, announced last week as director of football, will manage the team once the Blues get clearance from the FA that he can combine his role at Harrison Park with his job at Crewe Alexandra.

Joining Baker’s management team are Lee Casswell from Ball Haye Green, Kenny Scragg from Sunday league side Blue Mugge and Kenny Birch-Machin from Hanley Town.

The hold-up over Baker’s appointment is due to the fact that he is listed on the books at Gresty Road as assistant manager (recruitment), when in fact his role is that of chief scout.

This discrepancy needs to be cleared up so there is no conflict of interest should fate draw the two teams together in the FA Cup.

New coach Casswell said: “I’m going to be working alongside Neil Baker, Kenny Scragg and Kenny Birch-Machin. Neil is obviously going to be the general manager."

“Neil’s role at Crewe is still down on paperwork as assistant manager, but he is the chief scout, and once that’s confirmed with the FA, he’ll be okay.

“He can’t have a conflict of interest, but Neil will be at Leek Town every week, and his focus will be on Leek Town.”

Baker told the club website: “I am really looking forward to managing Leek Town again.It is a real challenge which I will enjoy. My chairman at Crewe (John Bowler) has spoken to the FA and my roles at both clubs need clarification. I do not see a problem.”

Casswell saw Ball Haye to the Staffordshire County Senior League title last season, but knows that this will be a step up.

He said: “It’s another level for me. Neil made it quite clear that he’d like to me to go along with him, and if it was anyone else, I’d probably have stayed at Ball Haye, because they are a great club.

“I am really excited about working with Neil, and we are hoping things will work out well. It’s a similar situation for me as when Neil first left Leek CSOB to join Leek Town, and if I can have a 10th of the success that he has had, I’ll be happy.

“We’ve seen in the few months he’s been there already that he’s got the club breathing again. There’s a good chance that good times could be round the corner again for Leek Town.”

Baker will be at the top of the management tree, but there is unlikely to be any pecking order for the other three members of the team, although Scragg is likely to be used in a scouting role.

Baker said: “Kenny knows players and in Blue Mugge has put together the most successful Sunday league side for a long time.

“Lee is local lad and has been manager of Ball Haye Green, who won the Staffs County League Premier Division this season.”

Casswell said: “The thing that’s really important is that it’s local people involved in the club, and I think people are pleased, because hopefully it will mean a bit more to us.

“I’m quite happy just to be behind Neil, it doesn’t really matter to me about titles - we’re all pulling in the same direction.”