Linnets appoint new interim manager

King’s Lynn Town have appointed Mark Hughes as interim manager until the end of the season.

Hughes takes up the role in the wake of manager Tommy Widdrington’s sensational resignation after the 1-0 victory over Chorley on Saturday.

Hertfordshire-based Hughes will be assisted by Hugo Langton while experienced goalkeeper Paul Jones has also joined the club’s coaching staff.

Widdrington left Lynn for National League Aldershot Town despite having more than a year remaining on his contract at The Walks.

A statement from the club a short while ago read: “We are pleased to announce that Mark Hughes has accepted the position of interim manager until the end of the season.

“He will be assisted by Hugo Langton and our coaching staff have been bolstered by Paul Jones who will also be joining the coaching team.”

On the appointments, club owner Stephen Cleeve said: “Clearly the events of the last few days have shocked everyone to the core and we are amazed and upset with the way that Aldershot Town FC have behaved.

“That issue is now in the hands of our lawyers but we now need to concentrate on what is ahead of us; and I could not ask for a better management team and group of players to lead us into our final games.

“I will give Mark and his staff every support that I can and I would urge everyone in the town to fill The Walks on Good Friday and get behind your local club. We are all in this together.”

As a midfielder, Hughes appeared for a number of clubs, starting as a youth with Tottenham Hotspur with loan spell at Northampton Town and Oldham Athletic before making a permanent move to Oldham in 2005.

Spells at Thurrock, Chesterfield (loan), Stevenage Borough, Chester City, Barnet, Eastleigh and Chelmsford City followed. he joined in Eastbourne Borough in 2016 and then Bishop’s Stortford, where he was also assistant manager.

He was assistant manager at Cheshunt (January 2020 to January 2021) and Billericay (January to December 2021).

The Linnets host Kettering Town next at The Walks on Friday before travelling to Alfreton Town on Easter Monday.