Woolston Rovers have a new man at the helm of their NCL side after current Head Coach Billy Sheen stepped down during the past week due to family and work commitments, with Liam Lawton appointed as his successor.

Sheen, who rejoined the club ahead of the 2022 season working alongside Mal Holt, had a successful time back at the club. He got the side to the Division Two Play Off Final in his first year back but a narrow loss at Clock Face Miners meant another season in Division Two and the 2023 campaign proved to be a very successful one as a Play Off Final win at Shaw Cross Sharks got Rovers promoted to Division One. This season he has had Liam Lawton assisting him and they have ensured that we have put out competitive sides each week.

The Rovers committee were eager to have some continuity moving forward and were unanimous in appointing Liam Lawton as the new Head Coach with immediate effect. Liam has been with the club since 2019 and proved to be a very valuable asset and excellent coach. He started as NWML Assistant Coach before taking the NWML Head Coach role. This season he stepped up to the NCL side as Assistant Coach and now he moves into the Head Coach position.

Club Chairman Warren Whalley said, “I would like to thank Billy for the time and effort he put in whilst coaching at our club, it was very much appreciated and I fully understand that his work and family commitments have made it difficult for him to continue with his coaching commitments. He has played an important role over the past three seasons and brought success to the side at the end of last season along with Mal Holt. I would like to wish Billy and his family well for the future and look forward to seeing him down at the club when time permits.

Whalley added. “I would like to congratulate and thank Liam for stepping up into the NCL Head Coach position with our club. He has shown great commitment and dedication in a coaching capacity within our club over a number of seasons and is very enthusiastic about taking on this role. He has the full support of our committee and is also a popular choice with the players. We now look forward to seeing Liam’s effort and guidance in taking our club forward on the field of play.”