Frecklington named as Spalding United manager

He returned to the Tulips on Sunday, taking charge after the departure of Marcus Ebdon and Danny Hussey at the end of last season.

Frecklington – who had resigned as Lincoln United boss on Thursday – played for Spalding, helping them to win four trophies in the 1998-99 season.

He said: “This is a fresh challenge for me.

“I first heard of interest in the last week or so.

“The big thing for me was the club’s ambition.

“My work starts right now. Promotion is the aim whether that happens in year one, two or three.

“The foundations are certainly here as a team and I’ve already spoken to half of the squad.

“I’ll be working on deals with key players and I know Nathan Stainfield has already signed a contract.

“I voted for him in the division’s team of the year so I know he is a key factor.

“We had a three-year plan at Lincoln and it’s already well documented how that came to an end.

“I gave everything to that club in the last three years and we reached the play-offs in year three.

“We failed at the final hurdle but I’m happy with the job I’ve done in terms of building the club from where it was and then leaving it in a good state.

“We built a good group with team spirit so I wouldn’t want to see that fall apart.

“Sam Wilkinson has taken over at Lincoln and Chris Rawlinson, who was also my assistant, is coming here.

“I’ll be looking to bring in a first-team assistant coach and I’ve spoken to director of football Bob Don-Duncan who is happy to stay.

“If any players want to come then we’ll see what happens but I’ll look at the current squad first.

“I’m going to speak to them individually and collectively before they go away for a break and we’ll come back for pre-season on the first Saturday in July.

“I thought the division was tough last season but it has become even stronger.

“Four or five teams were right up there from day one and there were no ‘gimmes’ - all the games were tough.

“Next term we’ll have AFC Rushden & Diamonds and Stamford for a couple of mouth-watering games plus we’ve got Northwich Victoria, Witton Albion and Bedworth United coming in.”

2016-17 season

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Basford United, Bedworth United, Belper Town, Carlton Town, Chasetown, Gresley, Kidsgrove Athletic, Leek Town, Lincoln United, Loughborough Dynamo, Market Drayton Town, Newcastle Town, Northwich Victoria, Romulus, Rugby Town, Sheffield, Shaw Lane Aquaforce, Spalding United, Stamford, Stocksbridge Park Steels, Witton Albion.