Lincoln United have announced that former defender and Halifax Town manager Billy Heath has been appointed as their new manager.
He takes over from Scott Hellewell who was sacked last Tuesday after three games unbeaten as he left the club in 15th place.
Interim manager Dave Frecklington will continue to lead the team for tomorrow’s trip to North Ferriby. However, Heath and his assistant Mark Carroll will be in the dugout for next week’s trip to Garforth Town.
Heath brings a wealth of experience to the role having started his now 25-year managerial career at Bridlington Town where he remained for six years.
That was also where he collected his first silverware as a manager when he won the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, NCEL Wilkinson Sword Trophy and the East-Riding County FA Senior Cup.
However, things only went up from there as he moved onto fellow NCEL Premier Division side Frickley Athletic where he achieved another two promotions.
After losing out in the NCEL play-offs in his first season the side were then promoted twice to eventually reach the Northern Premier League Premier Division by 2010.
It was following his departure in 2010 that the 54-year-old’s career really took off, as he was poached by fellow NPL Premier Division side North Ferriby United.
Over his six-year spell with the club, Heath guided the Villagers into the National League in his final season with the club after just a three year stay in the National League North.
During that time the side managed to finish second in their first season at step-two before they clinched the FA Trophy in the 2014-15 season, defeating Wrexham on penalties.
Following success with the East Yorkshire side Heath was once again Poached this time heading across Yorkshire to Halifax Town where he remained for two years, promoting them back to the National League.
His most recent endeavour took him on a seven-year stint to Alfreton Town where he became the club’s longest serving manager before departing in September of this year
The move to the Whites now represents a two-tier drop for Heath and therefore seems like something of a coup for United.
On the appointment director of football and interim manager Dave Frecklington said: “We wanted a manager who will challenge our goals and push our potential.
“As a club, our recent trajectory has already been phenomenal, we want Lincoln to have a non-league club that reflects the ambition of our professional neighbours and a city that thrives on football.”
As well as that, Club Chair Stuart Reddington said: “Billy’s appointment marks a significant moment for Lincoln United.
“As a board, we knew we needed a manager with proven quality, leadership, and a consistent record of building successful teams, and Billy brings all of that in abundance.
“Appointing Billy is a statement of intent; a commitment to keep improving, keep progressing and keep moving this club forward.”