By Matt Lawton
November 5 2003

Leigh RMI are pleased to announce the permanent appointment of Phil Starbuck as football manager, while the club have also announced the appointment of a new commercial manager. Starbuck has been confirmed as the new manager on a permanent basis following the positive reaction of players and supporters alike since his appointment as caretaker manager last month, along with encouraging performances under the stewardship of Starbuck, culminating in Saturday's shock 1-0 victory away to Conference leaders Hereford United.

Starbuck received unanimous support from the Leigh RMI board of directors who agreed wholeheartedly to the appointment of the former Sheffield United midfielder as manager, despite receiving applications from several more experienced managers than Starbuck.

Starbuck replaces former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Mark Patterson as RMI boss following his resignation after the 4-1 home defeat to Barnet last month and will be assisted by former Bury and Manchester City veteran midfielder Steve Redmond, who was ironically one of Patterson's final signings.

Patterson, who has since accepted the role as manager with Unibond League outfit Chorley, also held the role of commercial manager at RMI prior to his resignation, and this vacancy has been filled by the appointment of local Sales and Marketing professional John Brown, who will be responsible for the club's corporate and sponsorship activities.

RMI chairman Bill Taylor enthused about the appointments, believing they will "considerably enhance the clubs management team" and means that we can now "look forward to a new and progressive future with significant improvements both on and off the pitch".

The news was simultaneously announced at the monthly meeting of the Leigh RMI Supporters Club by Chief Executive Mike Peck at the former British Legion on Windemere Road in Leigh on Tuesday evening and was greeted with a positive reaction from the assembled supporters.