Following a series of announcements this week, Basford United can confirm that Mark Clifford, Liam Hearn, and Wayne Scott will assume first team managerial duties, effective immediately.

All three, under the mentorship of new Director of Football Steve Chettle, have excellent credentials and will do a brilliant job, buying into the club’s objectives of promotion this season.

Clifford has been appointed manager after recently returning to the club after leaving Ilkeston Town.

“Cliffy” had a very successful spell at United between 2015-2019, heading up our Under 21s before, ultimately, playing a pivotal role throughout the two seasons between 2016 and 2018.

Culminating in promotion to the Northern Premier League, Premier Division as title winners, the club amassing 100 points and scoring more than 100 goals during an extremely successful spell.

Hearn will take the role as Clifford’s assistant manager and will also register again as a player.

The striker returns in a joint role, and no Basford fan should never forget the 47 goals he scored during that championship winning campaign in 2018 that secured him the league’s Golden Boot award.

Later, he assumed the position of first team manager, alongside Dom Roma; going 9 games unbeaten and just missing out on the Northern Premier League play-offs in 2019.

Hearn then went on to play for Sherwood Colliery, Hucknall Town, Eastwood Community and, most recently Quorn. He is also a coach at Derby County Academy and runs his own coaching business.

Wayne Scott has been at the club since 2012 in various managerial and coaching roles, either side of a short spell as Carlton Town’s number one where he delivered Nottinghamshire Senior Cup success in 2017.

Scott was pivotal in building an exciting young Carlton team before departing the club at the end of the 2019-20 season. He then returned to Basford and took up a scouting role but has been a very credible member of the management team since.

Basford Chairman and owner Chris Munroe said: “I am absolutely delighted to welcome Mark, Liam and Wayne to their roles, three high quality individuals who know our club, desire and culture.

“I think they will do a superb job and have not ruled out getting into this seasons Northern Premier League, Premier division play-offs. It is truly an exciting time for the club and this final announcement really ends the week on a significant high - I wish them all the very best!”

Clifford added: “I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead. We have an excellent group that needs to kick on if we have any aspirations in pushing towards the play-off spots.

“I’ve had to make a few difficult decisions in the past few days one that has seen an exit from the first team in Michael Leslie. I felt it was important that we had a whole new management team to bring new ideas and energy to the group.

“I’m happy to be able to bring back Liam that - whilst being my assistant - will add additional experience to the front line, both on the training ground and in games.

“In Wayne we have an experienced former manager that knows the game well and has many contacts across the region.

“We all share the same vision and aspirations and I’m looking forward to working towards those. For this to be realised, we need the Basford fans to continue to get behind us - it’s been great to see the support home and away.

“Finally, I’d like to thank the Chairman and the senior management team for this opportunity, I’m excited that, in Steve [Chettle], we have a great figurehead that will add value to the management team.

“We have discussed at length how he can support us in the wider role of attracting the best players in our region to join us at Basford United. All of us hope to see lots of you make the trip to on Saturday."

The trio will be in charge for the crunch Northern Premier League encounter at Scarborough Athletic at the weekend.