FORMER Stratford Town chief Thomas Baillie has been named as the new boss of league rivals Tamworth.
Baillie stepped down last month after leading Town to their highest ever league position of fifth in Southern Premier Central and winning the Southern League Challenge Cup but now he has been appointed as ‘head of senior football’ at the Lambs.
It follows the news midfielder Will Grocott had left the Arden Garages Stadium to join Stourbridge, who are also reportedly in talks to sign Stratford top scorer Mike Taylor.
Baillie had been a target for Tamworth last season when they were looking for a replacement for Dennis Greene and now he will work with Gary Smith and Andrew Danylysyzn and act as a mentor for them.
Baillie believes the Lambs, relegated from National North last summer, can push for promotion.
“Tamworth is renowned across non-League for being a great football club with a fantastic and passionate fan base. Upon meeting the club it is clear to see the ambition to rise up the leagues again has never been greater,” he said.
“Over the last couple of seasons there hasn’t been the success at the club the fans and board have deserved and I am hopeful this season we can begin to see progress again in what is a very tough league.”
Meanwhile, playmaker Grocott has ended a three-year stay with Stratford to join Stourbridge. The Glassboys’ new boss Ian Long had targeted the former Kettering player last term when Long was in charge of Alvechurch.
Grocott, who made 153 appearances in Town blue and scored 21 goals, tweeted: “Just want to thank everyone involved at Stratford Town. All the best! The last three years have been nothing but a pleasure. Looking forward to the next challenge.”
Striker Taylor is also on Stourbridge’s wanted list, with Long in talks with the 31-year-old forward according to reports. Despite short spells at Tamworth and Leamington, Taylor netted 20 goals for Town last season.
