'I don't want this club anywhere around the bottom' - Kitching buzzing to lead Stafford Rangers again

After two weeks of uncertainty, the Rangers announced Kitching's return last Sunday to the delight of the Boro faithful who longed to see him back managing the side. 

But, in the meantime, interim boss Graham Deakin has led Stafford out of the Northern One West bottom four through two wins in a row including a 3-1 victory at Runcorn Linnets on Tuesday with Kitching watching on, and the Rangers sit one point above the drop zone ahead of visiting Kidsgrove Athletic tomorrow. 

Kitching, who left Stafford in 2018 after four years in charge during which he won the Evo-Stick First Division South and Staffordshire Senior Cup, could not face the fact that Stafford have faced, for much of this season, another relegation into step five.

And, working together with his assistant manager Nick Amos, Ian Cooper and Deakin who has joined Kitching's coaching team, the new Rangers boss is hoping for a just as successful second stint at the club. 

"I can't wait to be back, on Tuesday I was sat in the stand and you could see how much the result meant to the players and Deaks," said Kitching. "It was a fantastic performance.

"It is a huge football club and the work that we did last time around when we were here, we worked really hard to get the club into step three and we were an established side and we wanted to try and kick on.

"At the time, with the structure of the league and financial position, Stafford weren't able to compete at the top of the division and push for step two, and I understand that.

"But, the opportunity to come back and help has only come about in the last couple of weeks, it didn't materialise during previous times. 

"Myself and Nick Amos, and Ian Cooper felt as though our time at Boldmere St Michaels was coming to an end. It just felt right.

"There is no way that Stafford Rangers should be anywhere near the bottom of step four non-league football, and I find that as my challenge now. I came back to help, I don't want this football club to be anywhere in and around the bottom of step four or near step five.

"We feel as though we have a duty to come back and help to keep the club at step four status. A big pull as well is all of the work that we previously put in, I don't want to see that go to waste. With I think me, Nick, Ian, and Graham, together with the playing squad, can make sure that doesn't happen."

Elsewhere, fifth-placed Chasetown travel to Nantwich Town while Hednesford Town, who are unbeaten in five league games, host Witton Albion.

The Pitmen have drawn their last two games, which has seen them drop out of the play-offs to seventh - a point adrift of the Scholars who sit fifth.

In the Northern One Midlands, fourth-placed Sporting Khalsa welcome Coleshill Town while play-off chasing Darlaston Town go to Racing Club Warwick.