King’s Lynn Town owner Stephen Cleeve believes he has got the best manager in the league after persuading Adam Lakeland to become the club’s new boss.
Lynn’s new boss arrives at The Walks from Lynn’s National League North rivals Curzon Ashton who currently sit seventh in the table after the opening 10 games.
Speaking about the appointment of Lakeland, Cleeve said: “I’m so pleased that Adam has become a Linnet.
“He is, in my opinion, the best manager in our division and I’m sure he’ll become a Football League manager sooner rather than later, hopefully with King’s Lynn.
“I would like to thank Jason Sutton at Charmed Interiors and other sponsors who have helped me hugely in bringing Adam to the club.”
As a YTS coach with Blackburn Rovers in his teens, Lakeland featured for Accrington Stanley’s youth setup before becoming boss of Blackburn Rovers Ladies in the top flight of the women’s game for five years.
He first moved into management at non-league level with Curzon Ashton when he was appointed first-team coach and later assistant under John Flanagan.
During that spell, the Nash earned back-to-back promotions and reached their current position in Vanarama National League North before returning to work with Blackburn Rovers’ academy for a year.
He moved on to Northwich Victoria to become a manager in his own right, leaving when the club went into administration, before linking up with Farsley Celtic.
He guided the club to West Riding County Cup success in 2018 before leading them to the NPL Premier Division title the following year despite huge competition from North East giants South Shields.
His departure from the Celts for Curzon Ashton in October 2021 ended a four-year stint in Yorkshire, where he presided over an incredibly successful period for the club.
Lakeland said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to be the next manager of Kings Lynn Town FC.
“From the moment the chairman approached my former club for permission to speak to me about the role and from the numerous conversations we’ve had since, I’ve been nothing but positive about this move and cannot wait to get started.
“Whilst the team currently finds itself in a position we don’t want to be in, I have no doubt that there is a nucleus of very good players at the club.
“I’m certain that with some renewed confidence, hard work and structure, we can still go on and have a good season, ultimately aiming to get the club back to the National League at some stage in the near future.
“I’m excited to meet our supporters next weekend and will give my all each day to help take your club forward.”
Last season, Lakeland, who has held a UEFA A licence for more than a decade, took Curzon Ashton to a mid-table finish at the Tameside Stadium.
The 39-year-old’s first task after joining the Linnets will be to stave off a relegation battle and propel the club back up the table and towards the play-offs.
Lynn are currently third-bottom of National League North after losing 1-0 at Warrington last weekend.
Lakeland’s first game in charge at The Walks will be against Buxton at The Walks next Saturday.
