Further change at Market Drayton Town as chairman steps down

A summer of change at Market Drayton Town will continue with chairman Matthew Allen to leave at the end of the month.

Allen, previously secretary at Greenfields, will depart the club after spending two years as chairman.

It comes after confirmation first-team boss Dan Dawson has exited the club at the end of a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Drayton finished second-bottom and in one of two relegation places in the North West Counties League First Division South - but the club are confident they will avoid relegation from step six when league allocations are confirmed nationally.

But it will be all change at Greenfields next season, with a new chairman and committee to be confirmed at the club’s AGM next Tuesday.

Both Allen and Dawson enjoyed a successful season on the pitch in their first season at the helm last term, with a league finish of ninth and run to the FA Vase second round.

But form spiralled this season and the Gingerbread Men slumped to a finish of second-bottom and in the relegation spots.

Despite that, a club statement praised the regeneration work that has been carried out at Greenfields in the last two years under the supervision of Allen.

It read: “The chairman has overseen a period of significant progress and stability both on and off the pitch, leaving a lasting impact on the club.

“Off the pitch the ground has been transformed with over £160,000 of funding secured in the last two years by Allen.

“This includes new floodlights, a scoreboard, fencing, dugouts, improved concourse and standing areas, a new toilet block, clubhouse refurbishment, cafe enhancements, a club shop, improved PA system - just to name a few.

“It really does lay the foundations for our next chapter.”

The club are in discussions to unveil a new manager to succeed Dawson for the 2026/27 campaign.