Mark Fell resigns as manager of Lancaster City

Lancaster City Football Club and manager Mark Fell have parted ways, the club has confirmed. 

Fell's coaching team - Graham Lancashire, Craig Rutherford and Mark Thornley - will also leave the club.

He joined the club in October 2018 after leaving Ramsbottom United, replacing Phil Brown.

During his time in charge, Lancaster have been a stable and solid outfit in the NPL Premier Division and have exceeded expectations, given they have one of the lowest budgets in the division.

They won the 2019/20 Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy when the final, delayed due to Covid, was eventually played in 2021. 

A spokesperson for Lancaster City said on Wednesday: “Lancaster City FC today confirmed it has parted ways with manager Mark Fell.

“The club’s board of directors have accepted Mark’s decision to leave the club and are now looking for a new manager to lead the team.” 

Andy Baker, chairman of Lancaster City said: “Mark has had a great run as a manager of this club, providing stability in the league, securing a Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy win and overseeing a difficult period for the club during Covid.

“We thank Mark for his service and wish him our best for the future. 

“We would also like to put on record our thanks to Graham, Craig and Mark Thornley for their work and professionalism during their time at the club and again, we wish them all our best and hopefully see them at the Giant Axe in the future.

“As a board, we’re looking to professionalise every part of our club. 

“Over the last 18 months, we've increased sponsorship income, gate numbers and bar spend, and that’s put us in a stronger financial position but not without significant financial challenges ahead. 

“We want to bring investment into the club and take us from strength-to-strength. 

“We look forward to bringing on a new management team to work with the board on our vision and ambition.”

The club said that a statement on future management will be released in due course.

Lancaster currently sit 13th in the NPL Premier Division.

They were second in the table in mid-September but had a poor run of results at the tail end of that month and October. 

During that time, they also exited the FA Trophy and FA Cup, but remain in the Lancashire FA Challenge Trophy.

City’s next game is on Saturday (November 25) against Bradford Park Avenue at The Giant Axe.