Club Thorne Colliery have announced the appointment of James Baxendale as manager of their NCEL Division One side.

The former Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town and Walsall midfielder arrives at the club from Armthorpe Welfare and joining him will be his assistant managers Matthew Flanagan and Andrew Steptoe along with coach Adam Dale.

A statement released by the club said: "Baxendale was born and raised in Thorne and his appointment meets our commitment to the local community by bringing another local man into the heart of the club."

Baxendale's playing career began at Leeds United's academy and included 132 appearances in the EFL, a short stint in the USA and 127 games worth of experience in the higher levels of non-league football with clubs such as Alfreton Town, Kidderminster Harriers and Worksop Town.

He started his coaching career as part of the successful management team at Pontefract Collieries before moving to Armthorpe to become player/manager in 2023/24.

His arrival at Armthorpe saw him have to build a squad from scratch and he was successful in keeping the club in the NCEL.

After a brief spell with Frickley Athletic in the Northern Premier League at the beginning of 2024/25 season, he return to Armthorpe and once again led them away from the relegation places to a comfortable mid-table finish.

Club Thorne Colliery's statement continued: "As a club, we are excited by the level of ambition that James and his management team have displayed and with the way in which their own visions align with the vision of Club Thorne Colliery and its ethos.

"When it became clear that James O'Neill would be leaving his post as manager, Baxendale was quickly established as the club's first choice target and we are delighted that James and his management team were aligned with us in what we want to achieve.

"James and his team will now begin the task of recruitment and retention as they look to build a squad that they believe is capable of meeting the targets we have set for the coming season."