Lancaster City caretaker manager and captain leaves club

Lancaster City’s interim manager and captain Andrew Teague has left the club.

Teague, 37, has departed The Giant Axe to sign for Clitheroe FC.

The defender has been at Lancaster since 2020, and was there in a previous spell between 2009 and 2011.

In his second spell at the club, he captained the side to LFA Challenge Trophy glory in 2021, winning the postponed 2019/20 final.

The skipper has recently been caretaker manager of the Dolly Blues.

Teague and fellow defender Simon Grand have been in interim charge since Mark Fell’s resignation on November 22 last year. Grand will now take sole charge with a new permanent manager set to be appointed later this month.

In a club statement, Lancaster City said: "It is with a mix of emotions that we announce the departure of our esteemed captain, Andrew Teague, from Lancaster City FC.

“Andrew has been an exemplary figure at our club for many years, not only as a formidable captain on the pitch but also, more recently, as a successful caretaker manager.

“While we expressed our desire for him to continue contributing - whether as a player or in a coaching capacity - Andrew has decided to pursue a new challenge in his playing career.

“Throughout his time at the club, Andrew has demonstrated unwavering professionalism and remarkable leadership. 

“His dedication, both on and off the field, has left an indelible mark on our club. We cannot commend him enough for his outstanding contributions as a player, a manager, and an ambassador for Lancaster City FC.

“Andrew will forever hold a special place in the hearts of everyone associated with the club and while we are saddened by his departure, we respect his decision and wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”

The club go on to say that, with regards to the managerial position, they are “expecting to make a permanent appointment in January.”

They say: “In the meantime, Simon Grand will take charge for the upcoming two games against Macclesfield and Radcliffe as we get closer to appointing a new manager and management team.”

The news comes as Lancaster City prepare to travel to Macclesfield this Saturday (January 6) looking to build on their dramatic New Year’s Day victory.

They beat Atherton Collieries 3-2 at The Giant Axe, scoring two goals in stpppage time to turn the game on its head.

Nic Evangelinos, who only returned to action on Boxing Day after nearly four months out due to a broken leg, secured the winner.  

It was a crucial three points that propelled the Dolly Blues up to 12th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

They are eight points off the playoff spots, with at least one game in hand on all but one team above them. 

Lancaster have only lost once since Mark Fell’s resignation, that defeat coming on Boxing Day, away at Bamber Bridge.

The last time City played Macclesfield in August 2023, it ended in a 3-0 victory for the Dolly Blues at The Giant Axe.

That game was chosen by fans as Lancaster City’s 2023 Game of the Year last week with 67% of the votes. 

Going into that game, Macclesfield had won their first three games of the season without conceding a goal so it’s hardly surprising that the game still lives long in the memory.

Macclesfield are currently fourth in the league and got an important win on New Year’s Day.

They were 3-2 victors away at second-placed Warrington Rylands.

John Rooney, brother of Wayne, scored a hat trick in that game - he has netted 13 times this season.

The Silkmen have only lost once in the last two months.

They’re also in the fourth round of the Isuzu FA Trophy on January 13, when they’ll play National League side Dorking Wanderers, having already beaten National League North sides Curzon Ashton and Alfreton Town. 

Macclesfield v Lancaster City kicks off at 3pm on Saturday (January 6) at The Leasing.com Stadium.