Former Lincoln City forward Gary Taylor-Fletcher has been appointed first-team manager of Widnes Town and has asked for a ‘whole new squad’ on social media.
The 45-year-old takes charge of his hometown club following a difficult opening to the season for the Chemics, who sit bottom of the table with a single point from their first four fixtures.
Widnes confirmed the appointment on Tuesday, but it promises to be a significant rebuilding job. Before his appointment was announced, Taylor-Fletcher issued an appeal on Twitter to players based in the north-west who were looking for Step Six football.
“Any players around Northwest area looking for football at Step 6 level give me a DM. Going in at a club this week and will need a full new squad.”
He later suggested that the previous playing squad had departed alongside former manager Paul McNally, although he left the door open for anyone who wanted to remain at the club.
“Been told all players have left with the last manager. If any want to stay they are welcome but at the moment it’s a blank canvas.”
That leaves Taylor-Fletcher with the unusual challenge of assembling a squad while simultaneously trying to improve Widnes’ results. His first match in charge is scheduled to be away at Sandbach United on Saturday.
Widnes have lost three of their four league matches, conceding 15 goals while scoring only five. Their sole point came in a 2-2 draw at Cheadle Heath Nomads, with defeats against Eccleshall and Shawbury United followed by a 7-0 thrashing at Allscott Heath. They have also exited the FA Vase on penalties against Wednesfield Community, leaving them without a victory in five matches across all competitions.
Taylor-Fletcher remains fondly remembered at Sincil Bank after joining the Imps on a free transfer from Leyton Orient in August 2003. He scored 30 times in 93 appearances across all competitions during two seasons with City, helping Keith Alexander’s side reach the play-offs in both campaigns.
He scored 19 times in all competitions and was named Lincoln’s Player of the Season. He then equalled a 106-year-old club record by scoring in each of the opening six league matches of the 2004/05 campaign.
His final appearance for City came in the League Two play-off final defeat against Southend United at the Millennium Stadium. He subsequently joined Huddersfield Town before enjoying the most successful period of his playing career with Blackpool, helping the Seasiders win promotion to the Premier League in 2010.
Taylor-Fletcher later represented Leicester City, Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall, Tranmere Rovers and Accrington Stanley before moving into management. He now returns to his home town with Widnes, which requires both immediate stability and an extensive rebuild.
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