Hallam have announced the departure of manager Kenny Geelan who stepped down from his position after the club's midweek defeat against Liversedge.

The Sandygate side have thanked him for his efforts and wished him all the best for the future.

Following his departure, the club have acted swiftly to appoint Julian Watts as their new manager.

Watts is a 39 year old who, as a defender, played for Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham United and Leicester City where he won a League Cup winners' medal under Martin O'Neill.

He also turned out for Bristol City and Luton Town and spent four years in Australia playing for Northern Spirit in Sydney.

Watts leaves his position as assistant manager at fellow NCEL club Maltby Main, where he has been instrumental in a surge of form which has taken them into the top half of the Premier Division, to take charge at Sandygate.

The new manager's first game in the dugout will be next Saturday (29th January) against Selby Town at Sandygate.