By Matt Lawton
December 5 2008

LEE MERRICKS

Lee Merricks was appointed manager of Leigh Genesis on November 5th 2008 following the resignation of previous boss Steve Bleasdale.

Merricks cut his teeth working as a coach with Wigan Athletic and Manchester United before taking over as manager of the successful Leigh Genesis reserve side prior to taking charge of the first team.

Merricks' first game in charge of the Leigh first team was a 3-0 reverse against North Ferriby United at Hurst Cross, Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday 8th November, with his first league point following a week later with a 2-2 draw away to Whitby Town.

Merricks' first victory as manager came on 15th December 2008 when, in their first game for a month since drawing 2-2 at Whitby, Leigh were 2-0 victors over neighbours Atherton Collieries in the Co-Operative Lancashire FA Trophy First Round at Alder House.

Leigh's first league victory under Merricks arrived at the tenth attempt and in particularly outstanding fashion with a 4-2 victory away to promotion-chasing FC United of Manchester on Saturday 14th February 2009.

The arrival of Garry Flitcroft as Leigh Genesis manager saw Merricks take a back seat in terms of the front line of first team management, but he remained in a coaching capacity at the club until the end of the 2008/2009 season, before taking up a coaching role with ex-Leigh manager Steve Waywell at Chorley.

SEASON	LEAGUE				CUP				TOTAL
	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L	P	W	D	L
2008/09	15	1	2	12	3	1	-	2	18	2	2	14