BRIGHOUSE Town have appointed a new manager, as they await a decision on which league they will be playing in next season.

Grant Black has signed an initial two-year contract with the club, as has his assistant Mick Norbury, and they will hope to still be leading the side in the eighth tier Northern Premier League East Division.

Brighouse came second-bottom this season and were provisionally relegated into the Northern Counties East League Premier Division, but they could well be in line for a reprieve.

Both Marske United and Nuneaton Borough in the seventh tier went bust in mid-season, so with those two automatically relegated clubs unable to take their place in the eighth tier next term, a couple of sides are likely to get a reprieve.

And with Brighouse earning a respectable 36 points from their 38 games this season, that points per game total could be just enough to see them survive.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Former Bantams prospect Jorge Sikora (25) was part of the Brighouse defence that kept two potentially vital clean sheets in their final three league games this season.Former Bantams prospect Jorge Sikora (25) was part of the Brighouse defence that kept two potentially vital clean sheets in their final three league games this season. (Image: Thomas Gadd.)

Black, who will take charge with Norbury regardless of the relegation outcome, was managing Brighouse’s NPL East Division rivals Ossett United earlier in the season, but left the club on Christmas Eve after 14 months in charge.

He oversaw 14 wins and 16 draws during his 51 competitive games in charge of the club.

Prior to joining United, Black had enjoyed a successful four years in the Belper Town hotseat, leading them to promotion into the NPL Premier Division at the end of the 2021-22 season.

In a club statement, Brighouse wrote: “We are delighted to announce the appointments of Grant Black and Mick Norbury as the new management team at the club with immediate effect. 

“Both Grant and Mick have extensive successful managerial experience and were identified very early on as the pairing that Brighouse would like to see steering the club forward over the next few years.

“They have been initially appointed on a two-year contact with options to extend this and we are confident that this is the start of another long-term managerial association.”

Vill Powell was sacked by Brighouse after eight years in the hotseat at the start of last month, leading to former boss Paul Quinn taking temporary charge, with Steve Waide as his assistant.

The pair may yet have guided Brighouse to safety after overseeing late-season wins against Consett and Carlton Town, but regardless, the club have thanked the pair for their interim spell, wishing all the best in their next footballing venture.

Upon his departure from Brig, Quinn told the club website: “I’ve taken great pride in being able to return to the club to lead the team in this interim period.

“The players gave everything to ensure we finished the season with what we hope are the points required.

“I’d like to wish the football club every success in the future.”