ALBANY Northern League side West Auckland have appointed Alan Oliver as their new manager.

Oliver, who has a good reputation in Sunday football management, takes over from Graeme Forster, who left for Tow Law last month. Dale Swainston will remain as assistant manager.

Billingham Synthonia chairman Stuart Coleby has decided to continue his double role as chairman and manager.

Coleby, who was manager of Synners when they won the league in 1996, took over the managerial reins again from Eddie Kyle, who left the club in November last year, but thought about adopting only one role for the new season.

But secretary Graham Craggs revealed that Coleby has decided to continue doing both jobs.

"Stuart feels that he can certainly do both jobs," he said. "He has been involved in a lot of work as chairman over the last two years, for example in establishing a clubhouse, and he feels that the chairman's position will now become more of a figurehead.

"The rest of us are pleased that he's taken the job, because it saves us a lot of problems in trying to find either a new manager or a new chairman.

"We're hoping now to build on our sixth position of last season."

Tow Law have signed defender Andy Sinclair from Crook Town. Sinclair rejoins his old manager at West Auckland, Graeme Forster, at Ironworks Road. This will be Sinclair's second spell at Tow Law having been assistant manager to Warren Pearson four years ago.

l More Northern League tales on pages 7 and 12.