New Market Drayton Town boss targets success after 'not top of list' admission

New Market Drayton Town boss David Lloyd has called for patience as he sets about laying the foundations for a successful and exciting brand of football at the club.

Telford-based Lloyd has been appointed for his first job in management alongside experienced former player Adam Proudlock.

The Greenfields club hope to see their North West Counties First Division South status retained on a national points average once Football Association allocations are confirmed. Town finished second-bottom in the step six division last term.

And Lloyd, who succeeded Dan Dawson, is keen to improve the club’s fortunes despite, by his own admission, an unexpected appointment.

"For my first job there is no better opportunity locally,” Lloyd said. "I've got strong links here, my uncle played here in the 90s for a long period.

"I want us to play fast and exciting football, that gets the fans off their seats.

"I want to be very attacking, very composed while being hard to beat, definitely a brand of football that will excite the fans.”

Drayton have battled against relegation from several divisions for the best part of a decade, only pushing beyond that two seasons ago, in the first of Dawson’s two years at the club.

With two relegations it has been a tough period for fans of the Gingerbread Men, but the club are striving for better.

Former Drayton, Shrewsbury and Stoke striker Andy Cooke has joined as sporting director.

"This season is all about setting the foundations,” Lloyd added. “It should be playing at a higher level so it needs to be operating at the right end of the table, looking towards the play-offs, that area.

"After that it is all about sustained progress and trying to get the club back up the league.

"The fans can just get behind us. I don't think I'd be top of anyone's list coming in as manager. So there just needs to be patience at the start.”