One of the most successful managers in north east non league football, Ian Chandler, has returned to management with Durham City.

Chandler was manager of Whitley Bay until he quit earlier this year, and he takes over at a club where he had two spells as a player. Chandler led Whitley to three FA Vase wins and a league title in his ten years at Hillheads.

“I am looking forward to taking on the role and coming back to the Club. I’m lucky to have been left with such a good squad of players,” he said.

His appointment is the latest twist in a bizarre saga over the last fortnight. Manager Adam Furness and his assistant Ian Skinner were sacked after the 6-1 home win over Bedlington, which prompted several players to leave the club, and then John Cornforth was appointed as caretaker for the 0-0 draw at Marske last Saturday.

However, he quit after training on Thursday and said; "I'm not going to babysit the job for any one," he said. "I've got nothing but praise for the players the way they've conducted themselves over the last fortnight. They have shown a remarkable and hard working attitude considering what's been going on."

Chandler will probably watch from the stands against Billingham Synthonia today, while senior players Dan Madden, Scott Fenwick, Oliver Hotchkiss.

In another development, Lawrence Appleby will stand down as director of football afetr today’s game.