BICKERSTAFF TAKES THE HELM

RHYL FC will not be appointing a manager to replace John Hulse.
The Welsh Premier League outfit has instead decided to fall into line with the majority of European clubs by engaging a strong coaching staff with Allan Bickerstaff taking on the role of senior coach.
Bickerstaff will be assisted by Gary Powell, a long-serving Lilywhites player who was number three on the management team last season alongside Hulse and Paul Rowlands.
Former Rhyl player Bickerstaff is currently completing his Pro Licence coaching course and will take over his duties at Belle Vue with immediate effect.
He has been in temporary charge of training for the build up to the Intertoto Cup game against League of Ireland leaders Bohemians in Dublin on June 21. He also led a Rhyl side to a 1-0 victory at the weekend in a friendly against Lisburn Distillery in Belfast.
Four other people are believed to have applied for the manager's job made vacant following the departure of John Hulse on May 24.
Bickerstaff, 43, played for Rhyl in the 1995/96 and 1996/97 seasons, featuring in 30 Welsh Premier matches for the club.
He later managed Prestatyn Town before becoming girls football development officer for Denbighshire County Council; he has also helped run Rhyl's reserve side in the past.
In recent times Bickerstaff has been assistant manager at Airbus UK Broughton and Porthmadog, all the time adding to his coaching qualifications.
"The club is delighted to have Allan on board and looks forward to the new season in the Welsh Premier," said Rhyl's managing director Dave Milner.
"A recruiting campaign is already underway and Rhyl anticipate a number of quality signings before the new season."
Rhyl are also pleased to announce Jamie Digwood as their new director of football.
Digwood is well known at Belle Vue and is managing director of Cambrian Academy Sports Tours. Cambrian are involved with sports tours, football academies and Sport in the Community.
Rhyl has also revealed its commercial director, Mal Jackson, is leaving due to family commitments.
"The club thanks Mal for all the hard work he has done during his time with Rhyl and wish him well in the future," added Mr Milner. "An announcement will be made shortly about the further commercial development of the club."