KoolSport NCEL Division One side AFC Emley have appointed Darren Bland as their new first team manager.

He replaces Ian Banks who left by mutual consent after the club finished in eighth place last month.

Bland spent last season as assistant manager at UniBond League club Worksop Town but was keen to get back into the managers seat after previously holding that role at Maltby Main and Emley's league rivals, Staveley Miners Welfare.

Emley committee member Graeme Dodgson, who chaired the selection panel, was delighted with the appointment.

He said: "We had some excellent applicants for the post and, in the end, selected Darren from a very strong short-list of six.

"The club is delighted that Darren accepted the position and are confident that he is the man who can steer us to our ultimate goal of promotion to the NCEL Premier Division.

"Darren really impressed us with his appetite for success and his knowledge and experience of the game at our level.

"We are all looking forward to working with him and can't wait for the new season to begin."

Bland has called a meeting with all the current squad for 7.30pm on Monday as he looks to make an early start to his plans for next season.